Letter from Marion Dewar, former Mayor of Ottawa , founder of Project 4000

December 17, 2005

Dear Can,

I am sorry I cannot be with you tonight.  This project we are launching is very important, not just to the Vietnamese community but to our city as a whole.

We have often been remiss in celebrating as well as teaching our History.This Museum will be close to the first community where the Refugees settled.

The persons involved will be the Vietnamese and people from the broader community. We must always remember it was the response of people in the community including people like yourself that made the politicians rethink their restrictive policy.  Persons across  Canada living in towns and cities joined in to do their own sponsorships.

It was unbelievable how quickly the politicians moved when they realized Canadians were intent on their sponsorship. The Canadian quota for refugees from  Southeast Asia was 8,000 in June 1979 and by July 1979 it was amended to 50,000.

This Museum is not going to be just a reminder of those days. It will be an expression of hope, courage and sharing. The Vietnamese that arrived have become wonderful Canadian citizens. They have taught their children their culture and encouraged them to participate in the many broader cultures.,We who were here before they arrived benefited by new lasting friendships,knowledge and understanding of other cultures  and a rich addition to our existing culture.

With that kind of statement the Museum will make in the heart of Centertown will also be a tool to discover our own history. I hope all of you are ready to work on this project. I can hardly wait to get started ,however it will have to wait until after January 23 2006.

In peace

Marion Dewar