Wes Hall, founder and chairman of the BlackNorth Initiative, is leading the charge for Michael Lee-Chin, the chairman of NCB and founder of Canadian mutual fund company AIC, to be awarded the Order of Canada.

Lee-Chin’s story is an inspiration to both Jamaicans and Canadians and he has made invaluable contributions to his adopted home for decades. He went to Canada as a student, obtained a degree in engineering, worked as a bouncer at a nightclub and went on to found one of the most successful mutual fund companies in Canada. In 2002 he took control of one of Jamaica’s leading banks, NCB, and within 20 years transformed it into not only the country’s most successful financial institution, but a major powerhouse in the Caribbean.

He has also ventured into the media, tourism, port management, energy, healthcare and a raft of other businesses. He is undoubtedly one of Canada’s most accomplished sons who never forgets to give back and continues to do so.

LETTER TO GOVERNOR GENERAL

Hall wrote a letter to Governor General of Canada Julie Payette, and copied Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, that read in part: “We took careful note of your announcement on November 27, 2020, the 114 new appointments to the Order of Canada. We noted that of the 114 recipients there was only one black Canadian recognised. The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours.”

Hall continues: “If the Order is truly meant to reflect our country, then why do we not honour, dignify and celebrate the contributions of countless black Canadian leaders who have pre-eminence, national and international service, and achievement? Why do we not see the names of highly esteemed contributors such as Michael Lee-Chin, Donavan Bailey and Robert Sutherland, to name a few recognised in the Order of Canada?”

Lee-Chin has long championed Canada and cites what the country has given him as a factor in his success.

He once said: “In 1974, any foreigners in Canada were allowed to apply for residency. I applied and received it. That’s when I felt it was my country. My formative years were in Jamaica, but my successful years in business started here. Canada is not perfect, but relative to all other countries, it is as close to nirvana as it gets.”

In 2007, Lee-Chin officially opened the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum. It was a Cdn$30 million gift of gratitude for the opportunities Canada gave both himself and his family. At the time, he said he hoped the building would serve as an inspiration to young Canadians and hoped that they could be inspired to become leaders in their communities.

The Royal Ontario Museum Michael Lee-Chin Crystal was designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.

Lee-Chin continues to be a role model and great philanthropist and his humanitarianism is commendable.

Giving an insight into his drive to see others succeed and do better, he said: “If people perceive themselves as having very little opportunities to be fulfilled, then it cheapens their life and outlook. The solution is to reverse it, make sure they know opportunities abound.”

His profile serves as an inspiration to others and he uses it to do good and give encouragement.

“I wouldn’t be able to inspire others if I wasn’t profiled. If I were anonymous, no one would know my story; people who are underprivileged wouldn’t have an inspirational role model. Being anonymous has a downside: you’re not giving others the opportunity to be inspired by your life. And that’s not a good thing for society, because in society we need role models,” said the billionaire businessman.