Victor Oh

Early life

Oh immigrated to Canada from Singapore in 1978 with his wife and children. Since then, he has been an active community leader and a resident of Mississauga, Ontario. As a prominent member of the Chinese-Canadian community, Mr. Oh has devoted himself to promoting multiculturalism in addition to helping newcomers establish themselves in Canada and start their own businesses.

Recognition and Awards

Oh has been recognized for his contributions to Ontario and Canada. He was awarded the Robert Boyne Memorial Award by the Peel Regional Police Services Board in 2007 and the Citation for Citizenship (now known as Canada’s Citizenship Awards) by the Government of Canada in 2008 in recognition of his outstanding role in promoting the value of citizenship and helping newcomers to integrate into Canadian society. In 2010, Oh became the first Chinese-Canadian in 26 years to receive a Tribute Dinner by the Community Living Foundation of Mississauga. In 2011, the Canadian Immigrant magazine named him one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants.

Business career

Oh is the founding chairman of the Canada-China Business Communication Council and President of Wyford Holdings. He also serves as a member of the Board of Governors of Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. He is the former president of Mississauga Chinese Business Association and former co-chair of the Confederation of Greater Toronto Chinese Business Association.

Senate of Canada

Oh is currently a member of the Standing Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Agriculture and Forestry, and Aboriginal Peoples. He is also a member of several interparliamentary associations, including the Canada-China Legislative Association and Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, as well as friendship groups between Canada-Bulgaria, Canada-Indonesia and Canada-Malaysia.

Oh is a strong advocate for youth engagement, seniors health and wellness, job creation and economic development and, most predominantly, of promoting cultural diversity and migrant integration.

Hazel McCallion, the former mayor of Mississauga, inspired Oh to get involved in public life. He notes that "her lifelong involvement with charitable work and her deep commitment to the public good was, and continues to be, a true testament of good leadership." He is "honoured to count on her support and advice, and hope[s] that he can also have a profound impact on the success and prosperity of Ontario and the entire country."