Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 Bishop Michael Ingham accepted on behalf of the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster a letter of commendation from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP. The letter was presented by ministry representatives Vicki Poirier (centre) and Emay Ko (on right).
The letter thanks the Diocese of New Westminster and Bishop Michael Ingham for over 30 years of support for refugees beginning with the Indochinese boat people. During the presentation, Vicki included her own words of thanks to Bishop Michael. In response the Bishop shared with her a brief rememberance of his early work with refugees in the 1970's when as a curate his Bishop requested that he be responsible for facilitating the Diocese of Ottawa's response to the boat people crisis.
The last two sentences in the letter from the minister read as follows:
The support from you and your organization has saved lives and ensured that sponsored refugees contribute to the social, economic, political and cultural life of Canadian Society. Thank-you for your dedication and ongoing commitment to refugee protection.
The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP - Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism