Seven British Columbians have been named to Canadian Immigrant magazine’s fourth annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrants awards list.
Sponsored by RBC, the annual people's choice award celebrates the achievements of newcomers to Canada, many of whom are businessmen and women. B.C. residents named to the 2012 list are:
- Bing Thom (Vancouver-Hong Kong), principal of Bing Thom Architects;
- Peter Legge (Coquitlam-UK), chairman and CEO of Canada Wide Media, the public face of the Variety Club Telethon and motivational speaker, author and philanthropist;
- Iman Biock Aghay (Port Coquitlam-Iran), founder of Internet consulting firm Success Road Enterprises;
- Narima Dela Cruz (Surrey-Philippines), realtor and community activist;
- Daniel Igali (Surrey-Nigeria), Olympic wrestler who founded a school in Nigeria;
- Suresh Kurl (Richmond-India), social worker, member of the National Parole Board and former University of British Columbia professor;
- Kehar Singh Aujla (Burnaby-India), volunteer with nine organizations, including Volunteer Grandparents.
More than 550 immigrants were nominated and more than 28,000 Canadians voted online for their top choices.
Eastern Canadian recipients were honoured at a ceremony in Toronto on May 29; Western Canadian recipients will be honoured at a ceremony in Vancouver June 5.
“Even though this is our fourth annual awards, there is no shortage of immigrants deserving to be recognized for their contribution to Canada,” Canadian Immigrant editor Margaret Jetelina said in a press release.
“The calibre of our 25 winners – indeed of all the 75 shortlisted candidates – attests to that. From professional athletes, artists and politicians to entrepreneurs, philanthropists and community activists, the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2012 are inspiring role models not only for all immigrants, but also for everyone born in Canada.”
The Top 25 winners will receive a commemorative certificate and a $500 donation toward a registered Canadian charity of their choice. Winners will also be featured on www.canadianimmigrant.ca.
