Galloping into a Diverse Future：Lunar New Year Ceremony 2026 Held at the Alberta Legislature
- overseascd
- 21 hours ago
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【CMHnews Post】EDMONTON – On February 24, 2026, the Rotunda of the Alberta Legislature Building was brilliantly illuminated as guests from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Horse. The ceremony was hosted by the Honourable Ric McIver, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, to honor the outstanding contributions of the Asian-Albertan community and to look forward to new opportunities for Canada-China cooperation.
Dignitaries Gather: Cross-Party Celebration of the "Fire Horse"
Speaker Ric McIver delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the significance of this annual tradition. He noted that 2026 marks the "Year of the Fire Horse," a rare occurrence every sixty years symbolizing strength, vitality, and resilience. He humorously remarked to the crowd, "It looks like we have nearly a quorum here," underscoring the high importance the provincial government and all MLAs place on this cultural milestone.
The Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, attended wearing a scarf featuring Year of the Horse patterns—a gift from the sister province of Heilongjiang. Her Honour fondly remembered the late former Lieutenant Governor the Honourable Norman Kwong, emphasizing that "person-to-person connections" remain more important than ever. She expressed her gratitude for the warmth of the Chinese community, stating, "I have always felt the warmth and support from the Alberta Chinese community."
Subsequently, Peter Singh, MLA for Calgary-East, delivered remarks on behalf of the Premier and the Government of Alberta, followed by Rakhi Pancholi, MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud, representing the Official Opposition. Pancholi reflected on the historical resilience of the Chinese community and praised the development of Mandarin programs in schools such as Lillian Osborne High School.
Diplomatic Highlights: Strategic Deepening and Practical Cooperation
Madame Liying Zhao, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary, delivered a keynote speech highlighting substantial progress in bilateral relations. She officially announced that Canadian citizens can now enjoy 30-day visa-free entry to China, a move that will significantly facilitate tourism, business, and cultural exchanges.
Consul General Zhao also shared key economic achievements:
• The first shipment of Alberta beef successfully arrived in China on the very morning of the ceremony.
• This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Alberta-Heilongjiang sister province relationship.
• China remains Alberta’s second-largest trading partner, with strengthening ties in energy and agriculture.
Community Engagement: Unity in Diversity
The event was initiated by Nathan Ip, MLA for Edmonton-South West, and co-organized by Lily Wang, President of the Association for Unity in Diversity; Roger Qian of the East China Immigrants Association of Edmonton; and Mei Hung of the Chinese Benevolent Association of Edmonton.
President Lily Wang expressed her sincere respect to both new and established Chinese immigrants who have made outstanding contributions to Canada's multicultural landscape. She poignantly reflected on the history of Chinese ancestors who crossed the oceans and endured immense hardships, emphasizing that in today's society, diversity makes the community stronger. She stated that this event embodies the core philosophy of "Unity in Diversity," aiming to build a prosperous and harmonious multicultural society by embracing uniqueness.
President Wang specifically noted that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the sister-province relationship between Alberta and China’s Heilongjiang Province, calling on all sectors to continue working together to deepen bilateral friendship. At the conclusion of her speech, she extended New Year blessings—symbolized by the vitality and success of the Year of the Horse—to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Her Honour the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Madame Liying Zhao, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary, as well as distinguished guests including MLA Nathan Ip and Speaker Ric McIver.
Successful Conclusion: Rejuvenation and New Beginnings
The celebration concluded with a vibrant song by students from Lillian Osborne High School. Following the program, guests were invited to the iconic Grand Staircase for photographs. In closing, the organizers thanked the community groups for the refreshments and invited all guests to share in the festive snacks. Amidst an atmosphere of vitality, the ceremony came to a successful close, ending on a perfect note with wishes.
Reported by Lynn Wang
Feb 24，2026
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