Canadian Ministers acclaim and thank Dr. David Lee’s service in Canada

63 MPs, including seven ministers, and 11 Senators attended the farewell reception held by the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada on June 12 in honor of Dr. David Lee, Taiwan’s representative to Canada, who will leave Canada in early July. The ministers all acclaimed and thanked Dr. Lee for his contribution to enhance the relations between Taiwan and Canada.

Newly elected President of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group John Weston praised that Dr. Lee is one of the top diplomats in Canada.

Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews pointed out that Dr. Lee has crossed political boundaries, and has made friends with everyone. He said that Dr. Lee exemplifies the type of values that Taiwan has in terms of the rule of laws, democracy, and respect for human rights. “And those are common values that all of us share with you,” Toews said.

Minister of Human Resources and Skills Diane Finley thanked Dr. Lee for everything he has done to let Canadians know about the importance and the value of Taiwan.

Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney acclaimed that Dr. Lee is a very effective diplomat, and thanked him for his hard work. “Your country is a great democracy, protector of human rights, which is a living rebuttal to the notion that Confucian and Chinese values cannot coexist with democracy. They can and they do in Taiwan, and you are therefore a sign of hope for democratization all through Asia,” Kenney said.

Dr. Lee responded by saying that, since the announcement of the visa-exemption status, there has been at least 15% growth of tourists from Taiwan to Canada. Also, in 2007 when he first arrived, the trade figure between the two countries was about 5 billion CAD. That figure of 2011 was close to 7 billion, a 30% growth. Moreover, the two countries signed 12 memorandum and agreements over the past five years. Dr. Lee thanked his Canadian friends’ support to make all these possible. He said he was grateful for the long-standing support and friendship. “There is always a part in my heart which is reserved for Canada,” Dr. Lee said.

Dr. Lee’s new post back to Taiwan is the Chairman of the Coordination Council for North American Affairs (Cabinet rank). He has served five years in Ottawa.