Published author, lawyer and former Cabinet Minister David Tsubouchi will receive an Honourary Doctorate of Sacred Letters at Huntington University on Monday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) in Toronto.
His exceptional contributions both as a volunteer and leader in the community led to this rare honour.
“David Tsubouchi’s exemplary commitment to community service is truly inspirational. He is a nationally recognized leader whose contributions will continue to have a profound impact on future generations,” said Dr. Kevin McCormick, Huntington University’s President and Vice Chancellor.
Through his political life and volunteer initiatives Mr. Tsubouchi has enriched various sectors of society including: education, culture, arts and international relations. For these and countless other reasons, Huntington University has selected him to receive the degree of Doctorate of Sacred Letters Honoris Causa.
“I am truly honoured to receive this prestigious recognition from Huntington University. For decades, Huntington has promoted academic excellence, fostered student success and at the same time recognized Canadians for their contributions to community service and I feel very privileged to be one of the recipients,” said Tsubouchi.
Mr. Tsubouchi is the Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Trades. He holds the distinction of being the first Japanese Canadian to have been elected to any position in Canada. He served for six years as Councillor for the Town of Markham and in 1995 he became the first Japanese Canadian to be elected to a provincial legislature and also to serve as a Cabinet Minister. David Tsubouchi has served as the MPP for Markham for two terms and has held several cabinet posts in the Ontario Legislature including Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Solicitor General, Chair of Management Board and Minister of Culture.
As a campaign chair, he has raised millions of dollars for non-profit organizations and institutions including Seneca College, George Brown College, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and the Rising Sun Campaign to assist the victims of the tsunami and earthquake in Japan. He has received numerous awards and honors including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, The Bruce Bryden Award (York University), The Award of Merit From the Japanese Canadian Community and the Canadian Horse Racing Industry Award of Recognition. Just earlier this year, he received an award from the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAP). He has been a key note speaker in many countries including Dubai, Macau, China, Japan and the United States.
His memoir, Gambatte,was recently published by ECW Press and was nominated for the Speaker’s Book Award.
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Media Contacts:
Sherri Haigh
Director of Communications
Ontario College of Trades
Phone: 647-847-3139
Email: sherri.haigh@collegeoftrades.ca
Lacey Caputo
Director of Communications and University Advancement
Huntington University
Phone: 705-207-9939
Email: lcaputo@huntingtonu.ca