The Canadian Cambodian
Association of Ontario was formed since 1977. In 1975, there were a
few Cambodian families arrived in Ontario, and later in 1976, there
were a few more Cambodian immigrants started to arrive and settle in
Toronto. This early group of Cambodians immigrants who live in Metro
Toronto had made a significant impact. That is one of the most
memorable achievement in the history of the Cambodian Community in
Metro Toronto. They had countless meetings to discuss about their
lives and situations in a new country. At that time, they have
decided to form an association that will be for the Cambodian
community and especially for the benefits of the younger generation.
It took a long time when they just started to discuss and share
ideas about forming the association to serve the Cambodian
community.
This early group of Cambodian
immigrants had spent a lot of time and energy to build this
association. They had put a lot of efforts into meetings and
planning together in order to discuss the idea of having an
association. One of the meeting’s highlights was choosing the name
of the association. There were a lot of discussions before the group
had finally came into an agreement. They have decided to choose the
Canadian Cambodian Association of Ontario because they concerned
about the younger generation. The group thought that it would be
more appropriate to call Canadian Cambodian Association of Ontario
because the younger generation will become the Canadian Cambodian in
the future.
During the period from 1976-1978,
the Canadian Cambodian Association of Ontario was in the process of
applying as non-profit organization. Finally, the application was
approved and the Canadian Cambodian Association of Ontario was
legally formed on October 5, 1979. At that time, the founding
directors who had their names on the patent letters was Mr. Chamnan
Chap, Mr. Sophath Kao (Mr. Sophath A. Kao), and Mr. Chang Thoung
Pheang (Mr. Jack Chang). In 1979, we apply to register as charitable
organization for the purposes of receiving donation from the public.
Then, the organization was approved and given a charitable
Registration Number on January 1, 1980 for the income tax purposes.
When we just started to run the
association, we only got the budget in the amount of $12,000 from
the Ministry of Culture and Citizenship to start serving the
Cambodian refugees who continuing to arrived in Toronto. At that
time, Mr. Mech Sary was acting as the coordinator. Then, in 1980s,
the Cambodian refugee flows started to arrive in Toronto. The
Canadian Cambodian Association of Ontario began to develop new
programs and services to serve the newcomers who came to settle in
the city of Metro Toronto. The services included providing
information and referrals, orientation, information sessions,
workshops, escorting, interpreting, translation of documents, and
provides supportive counseling, and helping newcomers to adapt and
integrate into Canadian society, organizing social, cultural, and
religious activities throughout the year.
The first President of the Canadian
Cambodian Association of Ontario (CCAO) is Mr. Pong Su, 1979-1980,
the second, Mr. Jack Chang, 1980-1987, the third, Dr. Vanroeung
Chek, 1987-1994, the fourth, Dr. Sorpong Peou, 1994-1995, the fifth,
Mr. Jack Chang, 1995-2001, and the sixth is Mr. Kim Huot Sreng,
2001-2006. CCAO's office has been moved from the 8 York Street,
Toronto to a new office located at the 1111 Finch Avenue West,
Downsview. In year 2006, the Canadian Cambodian Association of
Ontario (CCAO) had been existed to provide services for the
Cambodian community, which is marked 26 years. The Canadian
Cambodian Association of Ontario has come a long way, and continued
to provide services to meet the needs of Cambodian community in the
City of Toronto.
