This tree, a symbol of longevity, resilience and peace, perfectly reflects the journey of the boat people refugees.
The City of Brossard celebrated a milestone event today, paying tribute to the Vietnamese community with a symbolic ceremony to plant a Ginkgo biloba tree in Sorbonne Park. This tree, a symbol of longevity, resilience and peace, perfectly reflects the journey of the boat people refugees and their successful integration in Brossard. Quebec welcomed thousands of Vietnamese refugees during the second wave of immigration in 1978-1979.
The event was marked by the presence of several dignitaries and members of the Vietnamese community, including the Mayor of Brossard, Madame Doreen Assaad, who delivered an inspiring speech, underlining the importance of these roots in local life.
“This Ginkgo biloba we’re planting today is much more than a tree. It embodies the values of peace, resilience and solidarity that unite our city and the Vietnamese community, which has overcome countless challenges to settle here in Brossard. This act of recognition celebrates not only 50 years of history, but also a shared future based on inclusion and openness,” declared Mayor Doreen Assaad in her speech.
Roger Légaré, Chairman of the Canada-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, and Nam Hoang, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, also took the floor to thank the City of Brossard for its unwavering support of the Vietnamese community and to underline the strong ties between the two cultures. Mr. Hoang, Manh Can, a boat people and father of Nam Hoang, shared a moving account of his journey to integration in Quebec and the warm welcome he received in Brossard.
The vice-president of the youth wing of the Canada-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, Van Nguyen, a Brossard native, also expressed his gratitude to the city for its support and commitment to the community.
The planting of this tree in Sorbonne Park, a symbolic place of gathering and unity, is a lasting gesture that reminds us of the importance of the inclusion and contributions of the Vietnamese community in Brossard. This gesture is part of a number of initiatives by the city to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultural communities that enrich local life.
Bottom thumbnail: In the photo, from left to right: Van Nguyen, vice-president of the youth wing of the Canada-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, Roger Légaré, president of the board of the Canada-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, Doreen Assaad, mayor of Brossard, Hoang, Manh Can, boat people refugee, and his son, Nam Hoang, CEO of the Canada-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce.
