Our History in Taiwan
From then until now — the Canadian Society to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan has a long history in Taiwan, dating back to 1983 when it was known as the Canadian Society. The Society was founded with a mission to promote goodwill and understanding between Taiwan and Canada — a purpose that has guided the organisation through every stage of its growth.
Why We Began
The objectives set out by the founders in 1983 remain the same objectives the Chamber follows today.
- To provide a forum for Canadians to meet and discuss matters of mutual interest.
- To promote the greatest possible understanding between Taiwanese and Canadians.
- To contribute to brotherhood, goodwill, and respect for the cultures of both countries.
- To encourage exchanges between Taiwanese and Canadians.
Foto: images/founders.jpgFounders Pierre Loisel Sr. and John Hardyment
The Two Men Who Started It All
John Hardyment and Pierre Loisel Sr. laid the foundation on which everything that followed was built. The Canadian Society — and the Chamber it became — would not exist today without their efforts, alongside the many hard-working individuals who helped establish the organisation along the way.
Presidents of the Canadian Society
From a small gathering of Canadians in 1983 to a thriving community three decades later, the Society was led by a succession of dedicated volunteers.
- 1983Pierre LoiselFounded
- 1984Pierre Loisel
- 1985John Hardyment
- 1986Charles Hung
- 1987Mark Bielarcyck
- 1988Tom Hoy
- 1989Francois Gagnon
- 1990Raymond Gunn
- 1991John Weston
- 1992Mark Levitz
- 1993Louis-Philippe Vanier
- 1994Pierre Loisel
- 1995Corinne Jeangrand
- 1996Boyd Topham
- 1997Jim Connolly
- 1998Darren Poproski
- 1999Darren Poproski
- 2000Chris Duncan-Webb
- 2001Geoff Ingham
- 2002Larry Mills
- 2003Larry Mills / Jennifer Hack
- 2004Kevin Dempsey
- 2005Bill Li / Jacques Van Wersch
- 2006Robert Fuller
- 2007Kim Fleming
- 2008Al Gibson / Marcus Clinch
- 2009Shawn McClelland
- 2010David Kuo
- 2011Leo Seewald
- 2012Leo SeewaldBecame CCCT
From Society to Chamber
By 2011, the organisation had grown well beyond its origins as a social and cultural society. Reflecting its expanding role in trade, business development, and bilateral relations, the Canadian Society transitioned to become the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan — becoming official in 2012.
The transition came at the request of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, which wanted Taiwan to keep pace with other parts of East Asia where Canadians and Canadian business were already active and well organised.
That transition marks the close of the Society chapter of our story. The history of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan, from 2012 onward, is told in its own dedicated entry.
With Thanks to Our Earliest Members
We are grateful to the corporate members who stood with us from the very beginning, including Bombardier and Manulife, and we are glad to count Air Canada among us once again. Air Canada's logo appears as an event sponsor for the Canadian Society's 20th Anniversary Gala.
Particular thanks are due to Charles Hung for contributing materials to this project, and to all those who helped preserve and share the records of these early years.
Foto: images/20th-anniversary-gala.jpgCanadian Society 20th Anniversary Gala, celebrating 1983–2003
Foto: images/maple-leaf-magazine-2005.jpgMaple Leaf Magazine — Canada D'Eh, 2005
It always starts with friendship.
