CCNC Statement on the passing of Kenneth Cheung
September 4, 2008
CCNC National President Colleen Hua issues statement of the passing of
Kenneth Cheung
Toronto. CCNC National President Colleen Hua issued the following statement
of the passing of Kenneth Cheung:
I learned of the passing of Kenneth Cheung. On behalf of the Chinese
Canadian National Council (CCNC) and the Chinese Canadian community, we
extend our sincere condolences to Kenneth’s family and friends. While we all
mourn his passing, we also celebrate his life of remarkable achievements.
Kenneth will always be remembered fondly for his passionate advocacy on
numerous social causes over the past three decades. He worked in coalition
with the Black community to oppose racism and call for police
accountability. As CCNC National Chairperson, Kenneth urged the Chinese
Canadian community to mobilize and fight for a just and honourable
resolution of the Chinese Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act issue. With
steely resolve, he organized the local Montreal community to oppose gambling
expansion into the community.
His leadership and courage will always be remembered by CCNC and the
Chinese Canadian community.
Contact: Victor Wong (CCNC) (416) 977-9871
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Chinatown activist and businessman Kenneth Cheung has died.
He suffered a stroke on Labour Day. He was 71.
Cheung was a leading activist in the Chinese community for over three
decades and later got involved in many human rights issues, working
alongside groups like the Black Coalition of Quebec. He lobbied to keep
Chinatown from being tromped on by city urban development.
Victor Wong, executive director of the Chinese Canadian National Council
says he remembers Cheung's contributions over the past three decades.
"I've known of Kenneth since the late 1980's when he was helping Chinese
students who were stranded here after the (Tiananmen)massacre in Beijing on
June 4, 1989. He was helping some of these students to gather some
second-hand clothing because it looked like they were going to be staying
here awhile."
"He was a very passionate advocate on a number of community human rights
issues. In 2003, he was elected the CCNC's National Chairperson and he was
very firm with the Canadian government on the issue of redress of the
Chinese Head Tax and the Exclusion Act."
Cheung ran for city council as an independent in 1982. In 1986 he ran for
mayor to draw attention to the lack of visible minorities in public office.
He served as an executive member of the Montreal Chinese Business and
Professional People's Association and the Quebec representative on the
Chinese Canadian National Council.
Wong says Cheung spoke out on issues and was very active at a time when the
community lacked a voice.
"He always pushed us to be more open, to be more welcoming and to be more
inclusive of other people."
His funeral takes place Saturday, September 13 at 1 p.m. at Aaron Funeral
Home, 1031 St. Denis Street. Visitation is between 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on
Friday, September 12.
http://www.cjad. com/news/ 565/783705
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Montreal activist Kenneth Cheung dies at 71
The Gazette
Thursday, September 04, 2008
MONTREAL – A funeral service for Kenneth Cheung, a prominent Montreal
real-estate broker and committed human rights activist, will be held 1 p.m.
Saturday at Aaron Funeral Home, 1031 St. Denis St.
Cheung was one of the city's first high-profile Asians to become involved
in community affairs, and fought to keep Chinatown a viable neighbourhood.
He ran for city council as an independent in 1982, the first Canadian of
Chinese origin to do so, and in 1986 he ran for mayor, not because he
expected he'd win, but to draw attention to the lack of visible minorities
in public office.
He served as an executive member of the Montreal Chinese Business and
Professional People's Association and the Quebec representative on the
Chinese Canadian National Council.
He died in the Royal Victoria Hospital on Sept. 1 following a stroke. He was
71.
The Gazette 2008
http://www.canada. com/montrealgaze tte/news/ story.html? id=39f02518- 7870-49b4-
8052-ae09ed813ca0
