2024年6月2日，密西沙加的青年少年参政学习团赴渥太华参观了加拿大国会参议院。团员们对胡子修参议员多年服务国家、社区表示了真挚的感谢并献上鲜花。
青年少年参政学习团和胡子修参议员共进午餐，并聆听参议员先生介绍了参议院和华人参政的很多故事。胡参议员给学习团的团员们写下寄语，希望他们积极参与政治，用自己的努力和行动，改变华人地位和命运。随后团员们参观了胡子修参议员的办公室，在美好的一天中，结束了参观学习，对国会的机构和运作有了直观的了解。
以下是这次参观学习的团员们的一些心得体会，希望在未来的人生中，放开胸怀，勇敢热情智慧地拥抱政治，实现华人参政的薪火相传。
Senator OH
By : E.Y. Grade 12 十二年级
On June 2nd, 2024, I, along with other students and parents of various ages traveled to Ottawa, Canada’s capital. We gathered to celebrate Senator Victor Oh’s retirement and present him flowers to thank him for his various contributions to our country and community. When our group arrived in Ottawa we had the incredible opportunity to share a meal with Senator Oh where he shared some of his experiences with us. We had the opportunity to learn about his collaborations with former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and about his experience as a mentee of Hazel McCallion.
It was enlightening to hear about how the mentorship and guidance that the former mayor of Mississauga offered to Senator Oh combined with his hard work and effort eventually led to him entering the senate as its first non-white member. McCallion’s passion for helping and encouraging others shines through Senator Oh’s devotion to serving Canada and its people.
Senator Oh shared a bit of information regarding his decision to suggest an amendment to bill C-6 which allows Minors to apply for citizenship independently. Previously, minors could only individually apply with a waiver granted by the minister. This amendment has undoubtedly helped many in their journey to becoming a Canadian citizen. Senator Oh encourages youth to become knowledgeable about and participate in politics as they are the future of the country.
Despite his busy schedule, Senator Oh personally took our group on a tour of the Senate building where he took the time to explain the daily procedures and responsibilities that he has. He carefully explained the various intricacies relating to his experience and answered any inquiries that we had. The building was beautiful, in particular, many of us were captivated by the design of the ceiling and columns. Senator Oh informed us that the building was previously a train station. For many of us, this was the first time we had been inside of the Senate building. We took various group and individual photographs to document the experience. Some of the other guests and I received a handwritten note from the Senator welcoming us to Ottawa.
In addition to taking us on a tour of the Senate building, we were also invited to take a look at his office. The space featured many photographs that documented his career and achievements. This included photographs of him with Stephen Harper and Hazel MacCallion and a newspaper article recognizing him as the first Chinese-Canadian in 26 years to be honored with a tribute dinner by the Community Living Foundation of Mississauga. As an immigrant himself, Senator Oh hopes that his support of immigrants and their families will encourage them to take part in politics to continue supporting the community and country as he has done during his career.
The 10-hour combined trip to and from Ottawa was well worth the remarkable experience of hearing about Senator Oh’s journey. Many members of our group are also Asian immigrants, so seeing someone like us be so successful was very inspirational. I am sure that it will be an unforgettable memory for us and that we all wish him an enjoyable retirement.
By : Alen Fazlić Grade 4 四年级
Yesterday, I went to Parliament Hill, Upper house and met a senator named (Victor Oh) I got to sit in his comfortable working seat. The chairs are red, so is the carpet, the color red stands for royalty in the Upper House, but the Lower house has a green carpet and chairs which stands for farming. In the Upper House there are three big red comfy looking chairs which are for the speaker, the King, and the Queen, but Queen Elizabeth passed away, King Charleston’s chair is still not ready.
I learnt that the Upper House debates and passes the bill and sometimes the senators have to work until midnight. I respect their hard working, I wish one day I would be sitting the senators’ chair providing suggestions, giving good opinions and help build a better Kanadá / Canada.
At the end of the trip, senator Victor Oh gave me a golf ball with his name signed on it, I will keep the golf ball on top of my trophy shelf as a souvenir. Whenever I look at the precious golf ball it reminds me of a lifelong journey to be a great man like him.
By: Morgan Yan Grade 5 五年级
经过四小时的长途跋涉，我终于来到了加拿大的首都渥太华。正是中午12点，我们便去了附近的全聚德烤鸭，周围还有很多小步行街。我还发现了一位雕刻高手，能在一粒米上雕刻八仙过海，他说这是他们的祖传手艺。进了烤鸭店，一股不知名的香味扑面而来，墙壁以红色为主，都有同样的纹路。服务员把我们领进一间包间，里面都是和我一起来参观国会山的人。饭菜很丰盛，几乎每道菜都有相应的历史背景。
吃完午饭后，联邦参议员胡子修先生带我们参观国会山。那里离吃饭的地方大概只有七分钟路程。国会山的建筑虽然没有雕梁画栋，但也十分气派，有中世纪城堡的感觉。里面到处都是画像和历史文物，画像栩栩如生。
加拿大共有105位联邦参议员，他们一周开三次会，日期和时间不固定。他们的会议厅有英国皇室的感觉，最前面有三把最大的椅子形成一个三角形。第一把椅子上面印有“S”，代表发言者，后两把椅子上有皇冠，是英国国王和王后坐的。家具主要是红色，木头框架，显得庄严无比。
我希望未来我也能成为105位联邦参议员中的一员。
By： Nancy Xie University 2 大学二年级/ Ricky Xie Grade 10 十年级
昨天，我们姐弟俩随同密西沙加青年少年参政学习团前往渥太华参观了国家参议院。这是一次令人难忘的经历！在那里，我们见到了Victor Oh—— 一位来自密西沙加市即将退休的新加坡籍参议员，他是加拿大历史上第一位非白人参议员。他和蔼地与我们共进午餐，热情地带领我们参观了参议院的各个角落，并且讲述了关于中国移民在加拿大历史上曾经的遭遇和挑战。
我们从这位参议员的言谈中感受到他对社会公平和正义的不懈追求，也了解到他作为一位亚裔参议员对加拿大做出了巨大的贡献。他向我们介绍了自己在议会中的工作和奋斗的经历，以及他为亚裔加拿大人争取权益所付出的努力。听他讲述那些中国移民曾经被海外资本当作缺少人权的劳工来压迫的历史，以及他对待公共事务的执着和对亚洲移民人权的关注，让我们深感震撼，并对他所做出的贡献和努力感到敬佩！
在参观过程中，他还带领我们参观了参议院的各项设施和功能，包括会议室、办公室以及辩论厅等。他详细介绍了议会的运作机制和决策流程，以及各个区域的历史和其作用，还与我们分享了一些他政治生涯中的趣事！这使我们对加拿大的政治体系有了更深入的了解，同时也加深了参政的兴趣。
能够踏入参议院并与这位参议员合影并收到他的签名留念是我们参观之旅中最难忘的时刻之一。站在他身旁，我感到一种莫名的自豪和荣幸。他即便在退休之前也保证能够让年轻的新一代亚裔移民们继承他的精神，背负的他的意志和价值观，继承并传承他的事业。这是我非常震撼且感动，我们希望能够遵从他的意愿，追随他的脚步，为华裔加拿大人争取更多的权益和机会，为社会的进步和发展做出更大的贡献。我们将永远铭记这次参观之旅，以及与这位伟大的议员相遇的机会，这将激励我们不断前行，成为未来对加拿大亚洲社区中有用的一份子。
Yesterday, we traveled to Ottawa with the Mississauga Youth Political Participation Group to visit the Senate Chamber. It was an unforgettable experience! There, we met Victor Oh, a retiring Singaporean senator from Mississauga, A.K.A the first non-white senator in Canadian history. He kindly joined us for lunch, gave us a tour of the Senate Chamber and spoke about the challenges and experiences of Chinese immigrants in Canadian history.
From the senator’s words, we felt his relentless pursuit of social justice and righteousness, and we also learned that he has made great contributions to Canada as an Asian senator. He told us about his work and struggles in Parliament and his efforts to fight for the rights of Asian Canadians. Listening to him tell the history of those Chinese immigrants who were once oppressed by overseas capital as laborers lacking human rights, as well as his dedication to public affairs and concern for the human rights of Asian immigrants, we were deeply shocked and admired his contributions and efforts!
During the tour, he also led us through the facilities and functions of the Senate, including conference rooms, offices, and the debating chamber. He introduced in detail the operating mechanism and decision-making process of the Parliament, as well as the history of the various regions and their roles, and also shared with us some anecdotes from his political career! This gave us a better understanding of the Canadian political system and deepened our interest in participating in politics.
Being able to step inside the Senate and take a picture with this senator while receiving his signature was one of the most memorable moments of our visit. Standing next to him, I felt an inexplicable sense of pride and honor. Even before he retired, he made sure that a new generation of young Asian immigrants would be able to carry on his spirit, his will and values, and carry on and pass on his legacy. I was very impressed and touched, and we hope to follow his wishes and footsteps to fight for more rights and opportunities for Chinese Canadians, and to make greater contributions to the progress and development of society. We will always remember this visit and the opportunity to meet this great Member of Parliament, which will inspire us to move forward and become a useful part of the Asian Canadian community in the future.
华人领袖胡子修老先生荣退
By： WU YU YANG Grade 10 十年级
在这绿意盎然的六月，我们迎来了一个意味深长的时刻：华人领袖胡子修老先生将荣耀退休。正如我们在加拿大首都渥太华的国会山中所见到的宏伟建筑，这位来自新加坡的第一代移民，用他的智慧和奉献，书写了属于自己的辉煌篇章。
仰望那雕刻精美的石墙，石狮与独角兽如同守护的神灵，威严而庄重，仿佛在向每一个过往行人诉说着历史的厚重。这座建筑仿佛是一位睿智的长者，见证了多少风雨与辉煌。那高耸入云的塔楼，如同诗人笔下的城堡，诉说着无尽的浪漫与神秘。每一块砖石，每一扇彩色玻璃窗，都在阳光下闪烁着美妙的光芒，仿佛在讲述着一个个动人的故事。
踏入这座宏伟的建筑内部，仿佛进入了一个神圣的殿堂。彩色玻璃窗投射出的斑驳光影，在石墙上绘出一幅幅梦幻的画卷。那古朴的铁艺栏杆，带着历史的沧桑，与这辉煌的大厅完美融合。每一步，都仿佛是穿越时空，与历史对话，与伟大的灵魂共舞。
在阳光的照耀下，国会山的石墙仿佛镀上了一层金色的光辉。塔楼上的每一处雕刻，都是历史的铭记，每一扇窗户，都是时间的见证。这里不仅是政治的中心，更是文化和艺术的殿堂。那些高耸的尖塔，直插云霄，仿佛在向整个世界宣告它的存在和伟大。
在胡子修老先生的带领下，我有幸踏入了这座象征着权力与智慧的殿堂。他带领我走过每一个角落，向我讲述着这里的每一段历史和传奇。胡老先生的身影，在这宏伟的建筑中显得如此高大而有力。他不仅是这座建筑的见证者，更是这片土地的缔造者之一。
胡子修，来自新加坡的第一代移民，于二零一三年被时任加拿大总理哈珀任命为第一位男性华裔加拿大参议员。在他担任参议员的十年多时间里，他不仅在国际上积极推动加拿大国会外交，更在国内的侨社中频繁互动，成为加拿大华人社区最亲近的国会议员之一。
胡子修老先生的政绩不胜枚举。他推动了移民未成年人独立申请入籍的立法，使许多年轻的加拿大移民能够独立决定自己的未来。这一法律的修订，让许多移民青年少年在成为加拿大公民后，代表加拿大参加国际赛事，为国家赢得荣誉。
此外，胡子修与独立华裔参议员胡元豹携手，共同组织了参议院排华法案百周年的反思纪念活动，并在国会山庄大草坪上举行了四千人的反歧视集会。这一历史性的活动，展示了华人团结的力量，成为加拿大政治史上的一座丰碑。
在推动加拿大与亚洲国家的经贸文化交流方面，胡子修老先生也做出了卓越贡献。他亲自迎接了百分之九十的中国航空公司首次飞往加拿大的航班，包括海南航空、国航、东航、南航等，为中加两国的友谊搭建了桥梁。
胡子修老先生在参议院的最后一次发言中，用普通话表达了对加拿大亚裔月的祝贺，令人瞩目。这不仅是他个人的荣誉，也是华裔加拿大人共同的骄傲。
随着胡子修老先生的荣休，加拿大华人社区纷纷在魁省、安省和卑诗省等地举办了盛大的庆祝活动，以表达对这位杰出领袖的敬爱与感谢。
在这片充满诗意与荣耀的土地上，胡子修老先生用他的多年实践，谱写了一曲华人参政的赞歌。他的故事，如同那座耸立在渥太华的国会山，将永远铭刻在加拿大的历史长河中。
Ottawa Trip
By: Sarah Zhou Grade 7 七年级
I was going to Ottawa to meet Senator Victor Oh for his retirement. OnRoute I witnessed the bird attack. At first there was just one bird, but after making a call to its friends, they headed over to my chocolate muffin. At that moment, ironically, I spotted a do not feed the birds sign. We drove away quickly and continued to Ottawa. The landscape was beautiful, at least half of the way I could see a forest and occasionally a few lakes.
We arrived at the famed restaurant, Quan Ju De, popular for the Roast Peking Duck. There, the interior is creatively designed, with the mirrors covered with the red frame with symmetrical flowers. The waiters, dressed elegantly in black, awaited us and formally greeted us and led us to a room where the wallpaper is covered with Chinese calligraphy. The food is fancy, even with cut out carrots the shapes of ducks and maple leaves. The duck is exquisitely cut up and placed in the shape of a peony, another above candle, the flicker giving a mood and setting to the dining experience. Even the humbly prepared cucumbers give a sharp burst of flavor across my taste buds and the sea cucumber, though strong, gave a smooth feeling on my tongue. Some of my favorites were the duck pastries and the taro fish. The taro fish were creamy and osmanthus flower gave it a sweet tang, while the ducks looked ornate and incredibly cute, flavor matching the looks with the date paste.
Then we respectfully and paid full attention to Senator OH, We visited to his personal office at Parliament Hill.
What followed was a brief walk, we arrived at the Central Chambers, which after a history lesson, I learned that it used to be a train station back then and I became a place of politics. There were many realistic portraits of past senators and queens, statues, and artifacts. There was a stop where we all lined up to take a picture with Senator Oh under the Canada flag overlooking the balcony. The ceiling was filled with recurring geometric and beautiful shapes that took my breath away as I gazed to the far other side of the room. The ceiling was smooth like butter, as vast as the sky.
In the chambers, we were told that normal people weren’t allowed to step past the bars because the chamber was only for the senators and royalty, but since we were special guests, we were invited to step in and sit in the spot senators were usually sitting. He then gave us a speech about how he changed the life of many young immigrants for their Canadian citizenship and he told us more about what and how he works as a senator and how the bills are passed. Senator Oh declares his feelings of pride because of the lives he changed of many immigrants and their children, touching us with all the good work he has done, we all giving him a big applause. We then took many pictures at his seat where he works and I was lucky enough to get a memorable autograph from him that I will treasure forever. After, showed us a beautiful ledge overlooking the people below, held up by pillars etched with a wave and square pattern.
We headed out and we enjoyed taking many pictures next to some statues and the scenery up on the bridge, until we arrived. Since we were his special guests, he showed us his office on Parliament Hill. It was a humble yet comfortable place with many awards and achievements made in his life. I discovered that he made a hole in one once.
I would also like to thank Senator Oh for teaching us and inspiring us in the path of politics and I wish him a happy retirement and a new exciting chapter of his life. I thank anyone who helped make this trip possible for this group to attend and the people who made this trip a fresh experience.
To Ottawa and Beyond
By: Pooja Parmar
On Sunday, June 2nd, 2024, youth and young adults from the Erin Mills of Mississauga arrived in Ottawa to congratulate Senator Victor Oh on his retirement. Although it was on very short notice, a large group of eager youngsters were rounded up to take a road trip to Ottawa to meet a champion in Canadian senatorship.
Senator Oh was appointed to the Senate of Canada in January 2013 by Stephen Harper of the Conservative Party of Canada. Ever since his appointment, he has been tackling important issues such as advancing the interests and rights of vulnerable groups. He especially believes in promoting economic growth and job creation for future generations – which is why he invited the youth from his hometown of Mississauga to Ottawa to inspire them to reach for the stars.
“It was a trip to remember,” stated Prashant Makwana, a newcomer to Canada, who recently completed his college degree at Sheridan College in Mississauga. “I am very inspired to start a new life in Canada and hopeful that I will be successful thanks to Victor Oh’s efforts in streamlining immigration,” he added.
In Ottawa, the guests were in for a treat! The guests had the pleasure of meeting Victor Oh there for a magnificent lunch in the most prestigious restaurant known to China, named, Peking Duck.
At Peking Duck, Mr. Oh gave the attendees a warm welcome to Ottawa and shed a beacon of light about his Chinese heritage. Not only did the attendees learn about the rich culture that is Chinese food and dining, but they also learned about the grand contribution the Chinese people made to the development of the nation of Canada.
After lunch, Senator Oh took the group on an exclusive tour of the Senate and his personal office. He walked the group through the daily affairs of a Senator and enlightened them about bills he had passed in the Senate and the positive effect those bills have had on Canadians. Senator Oh made the guests feel like Royals for the day, allowing each guest to seat themselves at a desk and take pictures as though it was their own. And yes, there were a lot of pictures taken. Who would give up the chance to feel like a royal?
The personal office of Senator Oh was simply remarkable. His numerous certificates of achievement were overflowing the bookshelves, and he made it clear that although he was retiring from the Senate, his work serving the community was not over. Two lucky young people received a Victor Oh-signed-golf ball to take home as a memento.
All and all, Senator Oh hosted the experience of a lifetime for our beloved next-generation. That is, they showed them how to get to Ottawa and beyond…
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