Canada's Chinatowns
Distinct Communities.
A Shared National Story.
Across Canada, Chinatowns are living neighbourhoods shaped by generations of migration, enterprise, culture and community life.
Explore their histories, local organizations and the people working to preserve their heritage, sustain their communities and carry them forward.
Montreal Chinatown
Explore Chinatowns Across Canada
Every Chinatown has its own history, character and community. Together, they form an important part of Canada’s cultural, social and urban landscape.
OUR MISSION
To connect and strengthen Chinatowns across Canada through collaboration, advocacy, knowledge-sharing and coordinated action.
OUR VISION
A future in which Chinatowns across Canada thrive as culturally vibrant, economically resilient and connected communities.
Why We Exist
Local knowledge.
Shared priorities.
A stronger national voice.
Canada’s Chinatowns are distinct communities shaped by different histories, people and places. Yet many face the same pressures—from rising costs and redevelopment to public safety concerns, cultural loss and limited access to investment.
NCCC creates a national table where local experience can inform collective action. We connect communities, share practical knowledge and bring Chinatown priorities to governments, funders and national partners.
Who We Bring Together
We bring together Chinatown organizations, community leaders and partners from across Canada. Our growing network creates opportunities to learn, collaborate and strengthen the future of Canada’s Chinatowns.
01
Chinatown Organizations
Place-based organizations representing, serving and strengthening Chinatown communities.
02
Community, Cultural & Business Leaders
Community leaders, elders, youth, cultural groups and business voices helping shape the future of Canada’s Chinatowns.
03
Public & Institutional Partners
Governments, funders, institutions and other partners working with Chinatown communities to advance shared goals.
How We Work
Our work is guided by three complementary approaches that connect community experience with national collaboration and collective action.
LISTEN
Locally
Canada’s Chinatowns are distinct communities shaped by different histories, people and places. Yet many face the same.
CONNECT
Nationally
We share practical knowledge, strengthen relationships and identify common challenges across cities.
ACT
Collectively
We advance shared priorities through coordinated advocacy, partnerships and action.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides governance and strategic direction for NCCC, working with participating Chinatown communities to establish national priorities and guide the organization’s work.
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Founder & Interim Chair
Ottawa Chinatown
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Vice Chair
Chinatown
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Treasurer
Ottawa Chinatown
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Secretary
Ottawa Chinatown
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Board Director
Ottawa Chinatown
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board provides independent guidance and expertise in public policy, governance, community development and national collaboration.
Chair
The Honourable
Yuen Pau Woo
Senator
Senator of Canada↗
Vice CHAIR
The Honourable
Yasir Naqvi
Member of Parliament
House of Commons of Canada↗
Chair
The Honourable
Yuen Pau Woo
Senator
Senator of Canada↗
Chair
The Honourable
Yuen Pau Woo
Senator
Senator of Canada
Vice CHAIR
The Honourable
Yasir Naqvi
Member of Parliament
House of Commons of Canada
Chair
The Honourable
Yuen Pau Woo
Senator
Senator of Canada
Advisory Board members serve in an advisory capacity and do not hold voting authority within NCCC.
Rooted in Chinese Heritage.
Woven into Canada’s Story.
Our identity honours the Chinese heritage that has shaped Canada’s Chinatowns and recognizes their enduring place in the country’s history and future.
OUR NAME
National Chinatowns Council of Canada
Conseil national des quartiers chinois du Canada
加拿大全国唐人街理事会
Our name expresses both who we represent and how we work: locally rooted Chinatown communities connected through a national council.
WHAT OUR LOGO REPRESENTS
Inspired by the form of a traditional Chinese seal, the NCCC mark brings together symbols of community, cultural heritage and national connection.
THE FORM
Our logo takes the form of a traditional Chinese seal. Its three characters—唐人街, meaning “Chinatown”—are rendered in a seal-script-inspired style. With roots extending more than two thousand years and standardized during the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), seal script connects the logo to one of China’s earliest written traditions.
THE SEAL AND SCRIPT
Traditionally, a seal serves as a distinctive mark of identity and authorship. For NCCC, its square form represents a shared identity, collective responsibility and an enduring commitment to the communities we serve.
THE THREE CHARACTERS
Together, 唐人街 means “Chinatown.” Within our identity, each character also carries an added meaning:
唐 honours Chinese cultural heritage and its continuity across generations.
人 places people at the centre—residents, business owners, community leaders and all those who sustain Chinatown life.
街 represents place: the streets, neighbourhoods, businesses, institutions and public spaces where community takes shape.
THE MAPLE LEAF
The maple leaf emerges from the character 土, or “earth,” element within the character 街. It symbolizes Chinese Canadian communities taking root in Canadian soil—growing from place, contributing to the country and helping shape its future.
THE COLOUR
Our deep red brings together the cultural resonance of Chinese red and the national symbolism of Canadian red. It also recalls the red traditionally used in Chinese seals, conveying vitality, continuity and belonging.