Banner for Asian Canadian Heritage Month, showing a silhouette at the bottom in red of the Toronto skyline. In a circle around the silhouette of the CN Tower are drawn diverse symbols of Asian faith, heritage and culture, including a hand fan, an elephant, a cherry blossom, a camel, a lotus flower, a paifang, and more. On the left of the circle is a cherry blossom branch with pink cherry blossoms flowering on it.

Heritage Celebrations

Asian Canadian Heritage Month

Banner for Asian Canadian Heritage Month. On the left are the words "Celebrating ASIAN CANADIAN HERITAGE MONTH" with the circular TCDSB logo under it. On the right is a graphic showing a red silhouette of the Toronto skyline, with a circular border around the CN tower. Circling the border are drawn different symbols of Asia: a pagoda, a dragon, a salamander, a cherry blossom flower, a camel, a lotus flower, a panda, a Magen David, a hand fan, an elephant, a cow, the Crescent and Star, a tiger, and more. On the left side of the graphic is a cherry blossom branch with pink petals. On the right are the words "DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH." Near the bottom of the graphic is the Bible quote "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ." - 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) is proud to celebrate Asian Canadian Heritage Month in May. The theme for the 2024 Asian Canadian Heritage Month is Asians’ Diverse Identities and Excellence in STEAMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math and Sports).

Asian Canadian Heritage Month acknowledges the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to Canada. It also provides an opportunity for Canadians across the country to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of Asian Canadians to the growth and prosperity of Canada.

Asian Canadian Heritage Month has been celebrated across Canada since the 1990s. In December 2001, the Senate of Canada adopted a motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to officially designate May as Asian Canadian Heritage Month in Canada. In May 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to designate May as Asian Canadian Heritage Month.

Asian Canadian Heritage Month Resources

Official Declaration of Asian Canadian Heritage Month

Diversity represents one of Canada’s greatest strengths, and we strive to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to reach their full potential and participate in Canada’s civic life. Over the last two centuries, immigrants have journeyed to Canada from East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Southwest and Southeast Asia, bringing our society a rich cultural heritage representing many languages, ethnicities and religious traditions.

The people of this diverse, vibrant and growing community have contributed to every aspect of life in Canada — from the arts and science to sport, business, and government. Asian Canadian Heritage Month offers all Canadians an opportunity to learn more about the history of Asian Canadians and to celebrate their contributions to the growth and prosperity of Canada. Thereby, we declare May as Asian Canadian Heritage Month in Canada.

2024 Workshops and Events Registration

Explore the events and workshops that we have planned for Asian Canadian Heritage Month.

Geography of Asia

Regions of Asia

Map of Asia
Map of Southeast Asia
Map of East Asia
Map of South Asia
Map of Southwest Asia (Middle East)
Map of Central Asia

Proclamation

Refer to the following Asian Canadian Heritage​​​ Month proclamation:

Tamil Genocide Education Week (May 11 to 18)

Education about the Tamil Genocide and the Sri Lankan Civil War context is a key component to helping Sri Lankan communities heal.

Scholarships

Resources

Learn more about Asian Canadian heritage with these resources:

TCDSB Community Engagement

Learn Asia through travels: Explore our Asian travel choice boards videos featuring Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Brunei, Mongolia, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Sri Lanka.