SENATOR VIVIENNE POY
An author, entrepreneur, fashion designer, and historian, Vivienne Poy is the first Canadian of Asian descent 
to be appointed to the Senate of Canada.  She was appointed to the Senate in 1998.  She served as 
Chancellor of the University of Toronto from 2003 until 2006.  She founded Vivienne Poy Mode in 1981 
and over the following fourteen years enjoyed great success in fashion design, manufacturing and retail. 
She is currently Chairwoman of Lee Tak Wai Holdings Ltd., and a member of the Board of the Bank of East Asia (Canada).  

A Motion to designate the month of May as Asian Heritage Month was introduced in the Canadian Senate 
by Senator Vivienne Poy on May 29, 2001, and seconded by Senator Pat Carney. Senators Sheila Finestone, 
Noel A. Kinsella, Nicholas W. Taylor and Laurier LaPierre spoke in favour of it.   

In December, 2001, the Senate of Canada passed a motion officially designating May as Asian Heritage Month.