Joseph Yu Kai Wong
Encyclopedia
Joseph Yu Kai Wong, CM
is a notable philanthropist in the Chinese Canadian
community. He founded The Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in 1987 . He served as the chairman for the United Way
of Greater Toronto
from 1990 to 1992 and has been honorary chair since 1994. He was awarded the Order of Canada
in 1984. Dr. Wong is the winner of the 2005 Humanitarian of the Year award, presented to him by former Soviet Union
President Mikhail Gorbachev
.
Wong came to Canada to study medicine at McGill University
, but he studied electrical engineering due to restrictions to foreign students. Wong later studied medicine in New York City
and returned to Canada
after graduation.
Wong became a social activist after condemning a report by CTV
's W5
on foreign student's taking positions at Canadian universities. Wong has fought hard against discrimination to Chinese Canadians and other minorities as well. He fought for redress for head taxes applied on Chinese labourers entering Canada
from the late 19th Century to the 1947.
Dr. Wong is the founder of the Association for Learning and Preserving the History of World War II in Asia in Toronto (Toronto ALPHA).
A practicing family doctor in Toronto, Wong is a married father of two sons.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
is a notable philanthropist in the Chinese Canadian
Chinese Canadian
Chinese Canadians are Canadians of Chinese descent. They constitute the second-largest visible minority group in Canada, after South Asian Canadians...
community. He founded The Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in 1987 . He served as the chairman for the United Way
United Way of Canada
United Way of Canada is the national organization for the 117 autonomous, volunteer-based United Ways across Canada. United Way campaigns raise money for local groups that address community issues and problems, and the national organization provides leadership, services and coordination to the...
of Greater Toronto
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
from 1990 to 1992 and has been honorary chair since 1994. He was awarded the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
in 1984. Dr. Wong is the winner of the 2005 Humanitarian of the Year award, presented to him by former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
President Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
.
Wong came to Canada to study medicine at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
, but he studied electrical engineering due to restrictions to foreign students. Wong later studied medicine in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and returned to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
after graduation.
Wong became a social activist after condemning a report by CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
's W5
W-FIVE
W5 is a Canadian news magazine television series produced by CTV News. The program is currently initially broadcast Saturday nights at 7 p.m...
on foreign student's taking positions at Canadian universities. Wong has fought hard against discrimination to Chinese Canadians and other minorities as well. He fought for redress for head taxes applied on Chinese labourers entering Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from the late 19th Century to the 1947.
Dr. Wong is the founder of the Association for Learning and Preserving the History of World War II in Asia in Toronto (Toronto ALPHA).
A practicing family doctor in Toronto, Wong is a married father of two sons.