넬리 신 하원의원 "새해에는 꿈을 다시 꿀 수 있기를"

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2021년 새해가 밝았습니다.

지난 한 해 동안 저는 팬데믹이라는 위기 상황 속에서도 우리의 지역사회와 국가를 위해 봉사한 것에 대해 너무나도 감사하게 생각하고 있습니다.

코로나19 사태 초창기부터 개인과 기업에 대한 여러 지원 단계에 이르기까지, 저는 많은 분들의 이야기를 듣고, 그들을 도울 수 있어 영광이었습니다.

2021년을 내다볼 때, 우리 국민의 건강과 안전을 지키는 일은 계속해서 우선시되어야 합니다. 그리고 백신 공급과 신속한 코로나 검사는 캐나다가 다시 회복하는 데 많은 도움이 될 것입니다. 우리는 캐나다가 성공적으로 회복을 하는데 준비가 되어 있으며, 더 이상 무너지지 않기 위해서 옳은 선택을 하기를 바랍니다.

2020년은 우리 경제에 큰 타격이 있었고, 우리의 자유에 대한 제한으로 인해 충격과 슬픔의 한 해였습니다. 그러나 이 제한은 일시적일 뿐이고, 우리는 애국심을 실천함으로써 희망과 비전을 지키기 위해 노력해야 합니다.

개척자 정신은 우리나라의 DNA입니다. 캐나다는 세계 각지에서 온 개척자들의 노고를 바탕으로 만들어졌습니다. 그리고 한인 1세대 분들은 아무것도 없이 낯선 곳에 와서 열심히 일하고 기도를 한 끝에 성공을 이룩할 수 있었습니다. 그것이 바로 대한민국의 정신이고, 우리는 모두 함께 위기를 벗어나고 더 강한 캐나다를 건설할 수 있을 거라 생각합니다.

강렬한 꿈과 비전은 종종 어려운 시기의 야생에서 태어나는 법입니다. 새해에는 모두 건강하고, 꿈을 다시 꿀 수 있기를 바랍니다.

진심을 담아,

넬리 신 연방 하원의원

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

I hope you are staying in good health and spirit during this holiday season.

As we stand on the threshold of 2021, I am grateful for the honour I had this past year to serve our community and nation during a time of crisis.

From repatriation cases during the initial lockdown to different phases of COVID-19 support for individuals, businesses and industry sectors, I’ve been privileged to hear your stories and assist you on your journey.

Korean Canadian Community

Throughout the pandemic, I was happy to assist Korean Canadians seeking support for repatriation and COVID-19 emergency benefits from different parts of Canada. In some cases, I was able to introduce them to their local MPs and with others who were struggling with English, I served them directly in Korean.

Although unable to meet in person throughout most of the pandemic, I’ve been able to connect by Zoom with a number of Korean Canadian community members in the Greater Vancouver Area including representatives of the BC Korean Businessmen’s Association, and local Korean heritage organizations to discuss ideas on helping the Korean diaspora community in our region through these challenging times.

With events going virtual, I was happy to provide congratulatory video messages including greetings for the Korean Consulate General in Vancouver to celebrate their 50th Anniversary and Evergreen Society’s concerts.

Some of the events I was able to attend locally in person were a socially distanced Korean Independence Day Ceremony at the Korean Community Centre, the 70th Anniversary Commemoration Service for the Korean Christian Churches Association in Metro Vancouver, and the opening of the NUAC office in Coquitlam, right next door to my constituency office on Austin Avenue.

As we commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the Canada Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) and the 70th Anniversary of the start of the Korean War, 2020 was a special year of deepening friendship and solidarity between Korea and Canada. I am especially grateful to Consulate General Chung, who extended the generosity of the Republic of Korea’s donation of quality masks to Korean War Veterans at a small ceremony I attended on May 25 with Senator Yonah Martin. The friendship between Korea and Canada was deepened at a luncheon hosted by the Consulate General to strengthen the friendship between the Korean community and Conservative MPs in the West Coast, including the Hon. Ed Fast, who was Minister of Foreign Affairs during Harper’s government and helped successfully bring together CKFTA. To honour the Korean War Veterans and fallen heroes of the Korean War, On July 27, I attended the National Korean War Veterans Day Memorial in Ottawa to lay a wreath on behalf of the Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. Although the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Ambassador of Peace Monument in Burnaby was cancelled, I attended alone and laid a wreath on behalf of the Parliament of Canada as MP for Port Moody—Coquitlam.

As I’ve been working together with the Korean Canadian community, it is always a pleasure to meet Korean Canadian entrepreneurs whose vision, philanthropy and innovation make me very proud. From my own constituency in Coquitlam, Phoenix Meditec, an importer of quality Korean PPE masks, donated hundreds of masks to House of Omeed, an outreach centre for struggling Iranian refugees on North Road. I also received a tour of the Inno Foods factory in the Tri-Cities to see their production of masks using Korean designed equipment. I was also blessed to accept generous Matilda chocolate donations from Ambrose Holdings to distribute to local nonprofit societies that serve my constituents, including Talitha Koum, Tri-City Transitions, and Crossroads Hospice.

My outreach to Canadian Koreans spanned to Calgary and Toronto while I held the role of Deputy Shadow Minister of Canadian Heritage in the previous parliamentary session. Over the summer months, I briefly visited Calgary and Toronto to support ethnic media and Korean heritage organizations. Also with my Canadian Heritage file, I began discussions on anti-Asian racism in the West Coast. Unfortunately, Koreans have also been victims alongside members of the Chinese and Filipino communities as a result of heightened discrimination during the pandemic.

With the passing of Cpl James Choi, who died on October 31 during military training in Alberta, I stood in the House to make a tribute.

I’d like to thank the Korean Canadian community in the Greater Vancouver Area for your continued friendship like an extended family.

National Files

I was fortunate to have had opportunities to rise in the House during debates to hold the government to account for gaps in COVID-19 support for businesses, rapid testing and procurement of PPE.

With my new file as a Member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, I’ve begun studies on the impact of COVID-19 on women, domestic violence and human trafficking.

Local and Regional Issues

On the local front, I have written letters to provincial and federal ministers in support of applications from the City of Port Moody and Village of Anmore for infrastructure project grants to upgrade the Inlet Soccer Field and build the Anmore Community Hub. I have also expressed my support to the Mayors of Coquitlam and Port Moody regarding future infrastructure projects that would fix the sewage overflow problem on North Road, Coquitlam, and the consequent contamination of Stoney Creek, a home to salmon runs and endangered species like the Nooksack Dace.

My advocacy for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients to have access to Trikafta began with debates during Question Period and has extended to ongoing meetings with the Cystic Fibrosis community. My work continues to be inspired by constituents like Jacqueline, a single mother in Port Moody who cares for three children with CF.

In the new year, I will be working closely with several Conservative MPs on a special committee to develop policies on the opioid crisis.

International Issues

On the international front, I’ve raised my voice against the human rights violations of the Chinese communist government against Hong Kong protesters, Falun Gong practitioners, and Uyghur Muslims in letter, petition and speech.

As a member of the NATO Parliamentary Association, I have participated in meetings with parliamentarians from our ally countries to discuss international conflicts and defence strategies among NATO countries.

Looking into the Future

Looking ahead to 2021, safeguarding the health and safety of Canadians must continue to be a priority. Vaccines and rapid testing will help re-open Canada. We must be intentional in our posture and the choices we make to ensure Canada is being set up for a successful recovery, and not further collapse.

While 2020 has been a year of shock and grief with the shaking of our economy and longstanding institutions, and uncomfortable restrictions on our freedoms, we must perceive this as a temporary season in our journey. We must strive to protect hope and unity by seeking vision and understanding and practicing exceptional patriotism.

Trailblazing is in our country’s DNA. Canada was built on the toil of pioneers from around the world who cleared the rocks and charted a path where there was none. The first generation of Koreans came here with nothing and built success with hard work and prayer. It is in the Korean spirit. Together, we can overcome and build a stronger Canada.

As is with many compelling dreams and visions, they are often born in the wilderness in times of trial. As the new year approaches in a matter of days, I wish you good health, safety and the capacity to dream again.

Sincerely,

Nelly Shin, MP

Port Moody-Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra

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