Photo gallery
JULY & AUGUST IN PHOTOS
Various Regions - Senator Martin held various zoom meetings over the summer.
SUMMER 2020 - KINDNESS & SAFETY
Various Regions – “Shared joy is double joy. Shared sorrow is half the sorrow”. In spite of these challenging times, these words resonate all the more as people show their care and dedication for others. Canadian businesses like INNO Lifefoods have stepped up to retool their businesses to make personal protective equipment, to help curb the shortage of supplies within Canada. Companies like Ambrose Holdings and HS7 have generously donated Matilda’s chocolates to various hospitals to thank all frontline health workers for their dedication and service. Charitable foundations like D2D Destiny Foundation and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. have organized fundraising events that bring communities together and raise funds for essential programs and hospital equipment. Caring individuals have created programs like Meals on Wheels for Veterans and organizations like SDC Foundation and the Korean Embassy and Consulates are providing protective masks to veterans. “Together, we shall overcome. And this too shall pass.”
JULY 27 - KOREAN WAR VETERANS DAY CEREMONIES
OTTAWA, ON – Veterans of Korea Veterans Association (KVA) Unit 7; The Honourable Yonah Martin, Grand Patron of KVA Heritage Unit, on behalf of the Senate of Canada; H.E. Keung Ryong Chang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea; Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam, Nelly Shin; General (Ret’d) Walter Natynczyk, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs; LtGen Wayne Eyre, Commander of the Canadian Army; members of the Korean Canadian Community of Ottawa and the Korean War Commemorative Committee (KWCC) gathered at the National War Memorial to commemorate Korean War Veterans Day. The annual ceremony is organized by KVA Unit 7, supported by the office of the Defence Attaché of ROK, Veterans Affairs Canada and KWCC of Ottawa (chaired by Senator Martin). -------------------- BRAMPTON, ON – Due to more stringent public health restriction on social gatherings in the Peel region, a small ceremony took place in Brampton, Ontario at the site of the KVA Wall of Remembrance (the national Korean War memorial) at Meadowvale Cemetery. 10 participants including Member of Parliament Ali Ehsassi and Consul General Tae-in Chung stood together, six feet apart, alongside Korean War Veterans and members of the Korean Canadian community leaders of the Toronto region to mark this important day of remembrance. ------------------ BURNABY, BC – Jagmeet Singh, Leader of the NDP & Member of Parliament for Burnaby-South; Tako Van Popta, Member of Parliament for Langley-Aldergrove, and representing The Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of the Opposition & Senator Yonah Martin; Member of Parliament for Burnaby-New Westminster, Peter Julian; Consul General Byung-won Chung; Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam, Nelly Shin’s staff representative; and City of Coquitlam Councillor, Steve Kim joined Veterans of the Korean War and Korean Canadian Community leaders at the Ambassador of Peace Memorial in Central Park. The annual ceremony is organized by the Korean War Commemorative Alliance (KWCA) and coordinated by The Office of Senator Yonah Martin ----------------------- CALGARY, AB - On July 18th, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 288 and the Korean War Commemorative Committee (KWCC) of Calgary held a wreath -laying ceremony at the Airdrie Cenotaph Korean War Memorial. They were joined by Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Airdrie-Cochrane; Peter Guthrie, Member of Legislative Assembly for Airdrie-Cochrane; and City of Airdrie Mayor, Peter Brown. ------------------- EDMONTON, AB – On July 26th, Matt Jeneroux, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Riverbend and KWCC of Edmonton held a ceremony at the Alberta Legislative Grounds. ----------------------- ST. PETER’S BAY, PEI – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, laid a wreath at the St. Peter’s Bay War Monument on the occasion of Korean War Veterans Day across Canada. ------------------------ COQUITLAM, BC –Korean War Veterans were joined by Coquitlam Legion Branch 263 representatives, Korean Canadian Community leaders and City Councilor Bonita Zarillo at Blue Mountain Park Cenotaph for a special wreath-laying on July 26th.
JULY 8 - AMBASSADOR OF PEACE MEDAL CEREMONY
SURREY, BC - The Hon. Yonah Martin, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Grand Patron of Korea Veterans Association of Canada Heritage Unit, attended a special medal ceremony for Colonel Don McClellan (Ret’d) at Amica White Rock senior home where he currently resides. Deputy Consul General, Yongwook Na was in attendance representing the Korean government along with Mr. Woo Seok Lee, President of the Korean War Veterans Association Western Chapter and family members of Col. McClellan. The Ambassador of Peace Medal is an expression of appreciation from the Korean government to Veterans who served in the Korean War from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953. It is also awarded to veterans who have participated in UN peacekeeping operations until the end of 1955.
2020 SPRING SITTING OF PARLIAMENT
BC & ON - Over the past 4 months, regular parliamentary sittings had been suspended, except for emergency debates to deal with government legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The Spring Sitting adjourned last Friday after two sitting weeks, on June 26th following Royal Assent of the Government’s Appropriation Bills. Although in-person meetings were not held, Senator Martin and her colleagues from both houses worked diligently night and day to ensure that federal assistance was reaching every Canadian and resident in Canada. Daily conference calls with department officials delivering Federal programs were held in tandem with weekly BC Caucus, National Caucus and Senate Caucus virtual meetings. To examine the Federal Government’s emergency programs and management of the pandemic response, the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance and Social Affairs were constituted to meet virtually. As Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and an Ex-Officio member on all committees, Senator Martin participated in both committees to hear testimonies and ask questions to key witnesses on each panel. Throughout the pandemic, Sen. Martin’s office coordinated a range of virtual events and meetings with regional and national constituents, including a special farewell to the outgoing Korean Ambassador, His Excellency Maeng-ho Shin. In spite of the challenges of the pandemic crisis, It was a productive and meaningful spring sitting.
JUNE 25 - 70TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES
OTTAWA, ON - On June 21, 2020, amidst the COVID 19 crisis, the first 70th anniversary of the Korean War commemorative event took place at the Monument to Canadian Fallen (in Confederation park). Veterans of Korea Veterans Association (KVA) Unit 7; Minister Catherine McKenna on behalf of the Government of Canada; The Honourable Yonah Martin, Grand Patron of KVA Heritage Unit, on behalf of the Senate of Canada; LCol. Wayne Eyre, Commander of the Canadian Army; and representatives of Veterans Affairs Canada, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and Korean War Commemorative Committee (KWCC) gathered in small numbers at the Monument to Canadian Fallen and stood together, six feet apart, but united, to honour our brave veterans of the Korean War. ***** SEOUL, KOREA - A special international 70th anniversary commemorative ceremony was hosted by the Sae Eden Presbyterian Church in Soeul, Korea on June 23, 2020, to honour our beloved veterans of the Korean War. The historic online international commemoration brought together Korean War veterans and family members of Canada, the USA, Thailand, and the Philippines to participate in the live commemorative ceremony at the church in Korea. Senator Martin, Grace Seear and Veterans of Canada took part in the live ceremony. ****** BRAMPTON, ON – Korean War Veterans, Consul General Tae-in Chung, Defence Attaché Col. Keun Sik Moon and members of the Korean Canadian Community gathered at the KVA Wall of Remembrance to commemorate the historic 70th anniversary and to pay tribute all those who fought in the Korean War. A second ceremony was held later in the day at the KVA Wall of Remembrance with His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor of the City of Brampton; Mr Jum Sik Joo, President of the Federation of Korean Associations of Canada; and Mr. Doug Finney, Past President of KVA. Each laid a wreath and observed a moment of silence to remember the Canadian fallen and the sacrifices made during the Korean War. ***** BURNABY, BC - Minister of Citizens Services, Anne Kang; Consul General Byong-won Chung; Burnaby City Mayor Mike Hurley, Coquitlam City Counsellor Steve Kim and members of the Korean Canadian community joined by Veterans gathered at the Ambassador of Peace Korean War Memorial in Central Park, to remember the brave Canadians who served and remember the Canadian Fallen from BC who never returned home.
MAY 7 - FOUNDATION DONATES PPE (MASKS) TO BC VETERANS AND SENIORS IN CARE
Vancouver, BC – Senator Yonah Martin and MP Alice Wong joined Social Diversity for Children Foundation (SDC), a local B.C. non-profit organization, to deliver Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) face masks to veterans and seniors in assisted living and care homes. Recipients include George Derby Care Society/Derby Manor Independent Living, Amenida Seniors’ Community, The New Vista Society, Korean Senior Citizens Society and Korean Veterans Association Western Chapter.
APRIL 24 - REMEMBERING KAPYONG
Various Regions - The Honourable Yonah Martin, Grand Patron of Korea Veterans Association (KVA) of Canada (Heritage Unit) and Honorary Member of KVA Unit 7 (National Capital Region), in consultation and partnerships with Korean War Commemorative Committees (KWCC) across Canada and BC-based Korean War Commemorative Alliance (KWCA), launched a virtual #RememberingKapyong campaign, and prepared and distributed a commemorative package encouraging everyone to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong on April 24, 2020 11:00am (local time).
COVID-19 SUPPORT
Various Regions - In response to the needs of regional and national constituents, Senator Martin’s Office prepared comprehensive COVID-19 information packages about government programs and services; answered enquiries and intervened on files where needed; coordinated multiple virtual meetings and online events for various causes and purposes; and helped with delivery of PPEs to seniors, including veterans, in care or living independently. She also supported the launch of a “Meals on Wheels” program that delivers meals to veterans in B.C. on a weekly basis. The special program was initiated by nutritionist Ann Woo and generously supported by charitable organizations.
MARCH 9 - UBC ON THE HILL
Ottawa, ON - UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa J. Ono and Senator Yonah Martin, a UBC alumna organized a reception on the Hill with UBC alumni in Ottawa as well as with participants of this year's UBC’s Women in House Program. This year 10 outstanding students were selected from UBC to come to Ottawa and participate in the program which included a panel with female Ambassadors and High Commissioners and ended with a full day of shadowing a female Parliamentarian.