Farewell to Arnold Chan, M.P., a Passionate Canadian Parliamentarian

Saturday, September 23, 2017

We paid our respect to Arnold Chan, M.P., at his funeral held at the Bloor Street United Church, Toronto

Of all the activities we participated in the past few months, last Saturday's event was the saddest and most touching one we attended.





We did not have to be there, but I wanted to be. I wanted to pay respect to the man who bravely fought cancer and served Canada with his last ounce of energy possible before his passing.

CTV reported Arnold Chan's passing on its national news       Photo credit - CTV

Mr. Arnold Chan, a Member of Parliament for Canada represented the people of Scarborough/ Agincourt, died of cancer last week; he was 50 years old.

 Although I did not know Arnold Chan personally, I did meet him twice. Once in a community BBQ event and another time at a community dinner for youth leaders.

Arnold Chan's love for politics was evident at the dinner where he passionately spoke of the needs for young people to be engaged in politics in all levels of government and he invited them to be involved in civic matters regardless of their party affiliations.

Arnold was first elected in a federal election in 2014.

Arnold was involved in politics all his life. He was first elected into the House of Common in the 2014 federal election and later also won the 2015 election.

Unfortunately, shortly after he took office in the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, he was diagnosed with cancer.

People packed the church in Toronto to attend Arnold Chan's funeral.

Although I did help in four previous federal elections in the past, I was not involved in either of Arnold's elections.

I was looking forward to help with his next election and trying to get to know him better.









Unfortunately, I would not have this pleasure of knowing and working alongside this wonderful passionate politician.

We attended Arnold Chan's funeral last Saturday in Toronto.

Prime Minister Trudeau paying tribute to Arnold Chan, M.P.      Photo credit - CTV

We were deeply touched by all the tributes paid to him., including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's tribute.

Jean, Arnold's wife remembered him at the funeral.   Photo credit - CTV

The most touching moment for many of us was when Arnold's wife, Jean, talked about Arnold's passion about politics as he called it his mistress just after their marriage.

Prime Minster Justin Trudeau presented flags to Arnold Chan's three sons at his funeral last week.

Arnold's youngest son remembered his father.  Photo credit - CTV

Jean's speech was followed by his three sons' each taking turns to remember their father's life.

Arnold Chan and his family

Many of us marveled at the strength and grace shown by Arnold's family when faced with such a huge loss.

I felt a tremendous sense of sadness at Arnold Chan's funeral, the same feeling I had while watching Princess Diana's funeral on TV many years ago.






I can't help but wonder why does God allow some wonderful people to be taken from us at such an early age?  God, is there a message you wanted to tell us?



Arnold, we will miss you, but would not forget you. Thank you, for all you have done for the people you represented in Scarborough/ Agincourt, especially, the youths who you had supported over the years.

Rest in peace, my beloved Member of Parliament, Arnold Chan.

R.T.
Toronto
Feeling a sense of tremendous loss