Today, Mayor Olivia Chow presented the Key to the City to Dr. Joseph Wong, recognizing his lifelong commitment to philanthropy and advocacy for seniors in Toronto and beyond.
Dr. Wong is a physician, community leader and lifelong advocate who has mobilized communities in pursuit of fairness and equity for nearly five decades. Born in Hong Kong, Dr. Wong immigrated to Canada as a young man and opened a family medical practice in Toronto, beginning a lifetime of service to others.
In 1987, he campaigned for the creation of a geriatric care centre that offered culturally and linguistically appropriate care for seniors. This advocacy led to the opening of the first Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in 1994 and its subsequent expansion to multiple locations across the Greater Toronto Area.
Since 1976, Dr. Wong has supported refugees, raised funds for medical research and disaster relief, helped found the Chinese Canadian National Council and advanced multicultural services through leadership roles including Chair of the Board of United Way of Greater Toronto. He is also the founder of ALPHA Education and the WongAvery Asia Pacific Peace Museum, which promotes peace and humanity education through lessons from the history of the Second World War.
In the late 1980s, Dr. Wong led a sustained campaign challenging discriminatory portrayals of Chinese Canadian students in national media, resulting in a public apology from a national broadcaster. He later helped lead a 23-year advocacy effort that culminated in a formal federal apology and redress for the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act.
About the Key to the City
The Mayor awards the Key to the City to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who embody the spirit and potential of Toronto, and who have contributed significantly to civic life. The Key to the City is Toronto’s highest honour granted by the Mayor to an individual or a group.
More information, including a list of past recipients, is available on the City’s Key to the City web pages: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/key-to-the-city/.
Mayor Chow invites residents to share their suggestions for individuals they believe should receive the Key to the City. To nominate someone who has made a meaningful impact on Toronto, visit: www.mayoroliviachow.ca/keytothecity.
Quotes:
“Toronto is one of the world’s most diverse cities, built by newcomers, sustained by compassion and strengthened by community leadership. Dr. Joseph Wong has spent five decades bringing people together to advance fairness, dignity and opportunity. On behalf of the people of Toronto, I am proud to present him with the Key to the City.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“I am excited to be receiving the Key to the City from Mayor Olivia Chow. It is an honour that reflects the legacy I have been proud to build in Toronto as a physician, advocate and philanthropist. I am especially proud to be accepting this honour at the Yee Hong Garden Terrace, a place very close to my heart. I am proud of helping to build spaces across the city and beyond that offer culturally and language appropriate services for seniors and newcomers.”
– Dr. Joseph Wong, Key to the City Recipient
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As an Official Host City for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City's website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.