Canadian Champions Award
What is this award?
At its 5th anniversary, Canadian Youth Champions (CYC) proudly launched the first Canadian Champions Award, recognizing outstanding Canadians who have made a meaningful difference in our communities. We are honoured to have Minister Tim Hodgson and Mayor Frank Scarpitti present the awards to this year’s winners!
While CYC is a multicultural organization open to all Canadians, it was founded and supported by Chinese Canadian leaders who came together to provide mentorship and create opportunities for the next generation of Canadians. Today, we are here to honour these role models—individuals whose dedication, leadership, and service continue to inspire youth across the country.
This award is a heartfelt tribute to our beloved mentor, the late Honourable John McCallum (1950–2025), whose legacy continues to guide and inspire us: https://lnkd.in/gzKUU4uk
Award Presenters
Mayor Frank Scarpitti
Mayor of Markham, Ontario
His Worship Frank Scarpitti has served as the Mayor of Markham since 2006, making him the city’s longest-serving mayor.
Beyond civic leadership, Mayor Scarpitti is deeply committed to community and charitable work. He co-chaired the Markham Stouffville Hospital Capital Campaign, successfully raising over $50 million.
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Canada
The Honourable Tim Hodgson is the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the newly elected Member of Parliament for Markham-Thornhill in 2025.
A proud Ivey Business School alumnus, Mr. Hodgson is the former Chair of Hydro One and previously served as CEO of Goldman Sachs Canada. He also served as an Advisor to the Bank of Canada, bringing with him decades of leadership experience across both the public and private sectors.
Award Winners
Tim Kwan
Chairman of Mon Sheong Foundation
Mr. Tim Kwan, Chairman of the Mon Sheong Foundation and proud Western Engineering graduate, has been a mentor to Canadian Youth Champions since its inception. A successful STEM entrepreneur and recipient of the Senate of Canada Sesquicentennial Medal, he has made lasting contributions to both business and community. For his lifelong dedication and extraordinary impact, we are proud to present him with the Lifelong Contribution Award.
Renowned Artist
Master Shan Bai Qin, a renowned Lingnan School artist, has lived in Toronto for over 50 years and is respected for his artistic excellence and cultural contributions. A graduate of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, he has mastered both freehand and meticulous brushwork, excelling in portrait, landscape, and flower-and-bird painting. His works, exhibited worldwide and published in acclaimed books, reflect harmony, heritage, and the blending of Eastern and Western traditions.
Tony Chang
Global Executive &
Community Leader
Tony Chang is a global executive with extensive leadership in corporate, investment, and nonprofit sectors across North America and Asia. A CPA with graduate degrees from the University of Waterloo, he has held senior roles in private equity and major companies such as Sunbeam, Tim Hortons, and Shoppers Drug Mart. Passionate about healthcare, he serves on several boards and has chaired the Yee Hong Board since 2021.
Stephen Siu
President of the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation
Stephen Siu is President of the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation, where he has led major fundraising efforts, including the 2014 Dragon Ball gala, which raised over CAD$1 million. With a background in public relations and community leadership, he is dedicated to enhancing seniors’ lives and promoting cultural engagement. Under his leadership, Yee Hong provides quality care and services to the Greater Toronto Area’s diverse senior population.
Alan Lam
Chairman of Greenvilla Homes
Mr. Alan Lam, a registered professional engineer in Ontario, is chairman of Greenvilla Homes, specializing in land development, construction, and international trade across the Greater Toronto Area. A longtime community leader, he has served on the Board of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto since 2000 and is a two-time recipient of the June Callwood Volunteerism Award. He enjoys golf and values his children’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Henry Lee
Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Toronto
Henry Leong Bee Lee has served as Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Toronto since 2019. With a background in public service, banking, and multicultural advocacy, he was an economist in Malaysia, a consultant to Ontario’s Ministry of International Trade, and a top investment specialist at CIBC. He has chaired the Asian Canadian Awards Gala, led hospital philanthropy, and spoken at global peace conferences, promoting cultural diplomacy and international cooperation.
Stephen Chan
Founder of Dapasoft Inc.
Stephen Chan is the founder and former CEO of Dapasoft Inc., a Toronto-based healthcare IT firm acquired by the Calian Group for $83 million in 2021. He holds degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Waterloo and Civil Engineering from McMaster University. A board member of the Ma'mo'weh Wii'soo'ka’tiwin Foundation, he also supports innovation and entrepreneurship as an angel investor.
Jeffrey Mah
Director of the Mon Sheong Foundation
Jeffrey Mah has been a mentor and judge for the Canadian Youth Champions Competition since its inception and serves as Secretary and Director of the Mon Sheong Foundation. A successful IT entrepreneur, he founded a consulting firm serving large enterprises and Crown corporations. His mentorship has empowered countless youth to reach their full potential.
Frank Chau
President of the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation
Frank Chau, Special Advisor to the Mon Sheong Foundation, holds an Engineering degree from the University of Toronto. He led the development of Mississauga Chinatown, creating a cultural hub, and helped expand the Bank of Montreal into Hong Kong and China, promoting inclusive banking. His leadership has had a lasting impact on both business and the Chinese Canadian community.