Questions & Answers

Jimmy Chan (陈燮堃) is a Montreal community leader, martial arts sifu, performer and filmmaker. He is president of the Montreal Chan's Associations (Chan Wing Chun Tong and Gee How Oak Tin), founder of One World, One Humanity and of the Montreal Chan Lion Dance Club, and organizer of multicultural drumming festivals in Chinatown.

Jimmy Chan is the chief organizer of the Chinese community's group in Montreal's Canada Day Parade. Since the 1980s he has brought together cultural associations, performers, schools and volunteers to march as proud Chinese Canadians.

Jimmy Chan began organizing the Chinese community's participation in the 1980s, as a young man.

No. The parade itself was founded by Dr. Roopnarine Singh. Jimmy Chan was the first Chinese community leader to organize Chinese community participation in the parade, and Dr. Singh honoured him with a Canada Day Parade Certificate of Recognition for that work.

With contingents of families, cultural associations and schools, a decorated dragon float, lion and dragon dancers, drummers and volunteers — as documented in photographs from the 2016 parade.

On July 1, 2016, the Chinese community marched in Section B, near the front of the parade. More than 680 participants took part, and Jimmy Chan played the big dragon drum aboard the community's dragon float.

He founded and organizes the Montreal Chinatown Multicultural Festival and its Drum for Unity drumming festival, leads the Montreal Chan Lion Dance Club, and takes part in Chinatown Day and Lunar New Year celebrations.

Montreal's Canada Day Parade was cancelled from 2020 to 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned in 2023, with Jimmy Chan once again organizing the Chinese community, and was cancelled by its organizer in 2024 and 2025. Jimmy Chan is working actively with other community leaders to revive the parade.

Yes. Jimmy Chan is involved in the revival of Montreal's historic Canada Day Parade for July 1, 2027, working with other community leaders. His vision is to bring all communities and immigrants together to celebrate culture, heritage, diversity and inclusion. To get involved, email jimmy@jimmychan.ca.