Paul Nguyen, (born February 23, 1980) is a Canadian filmmaker, politician and social activist. In 2012, he was among the first 60 Canadians to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at the inaugural presentation ceremony at Rideau Hall to honour significant contributions and achievements to the country.
Nguyen is the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario's candidate for the district of Humber River—Black Creek in the 2022 Ontario general election.
Life and career
Nguyen was born in Toronto, Ontario to Vietnamese parents who fled to Canada after the fall of Saigon during The Vietnam War. After graduating from C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute, he attended York University and earned his Bachelor of Arts in film in 2004. Nguyen grew up in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood. In 2004, Nguyen created Jane-Finch.com to address the constant negative media coverage about his community.
Jane-Finch.com
Nguyen launched Jane-Finch.com on March 13, 2004, in response to negative stereotypes about the Jane and Finch community. The website gives an unprecedented look at the neighbourhood and features a multimedia library of information. In late 2005, a community news section was added to allow reporters to document local events not covered by the mainstream media. The website produces music videos, public service announcements, and broadcasts local political debates and town halls. In addition to the production of original content, the website also publishes submissions from residents.
Reception
The website has received widespread critical acclaim and national media attention. In 2005, the website was featured on the Global Television Network evening newscast, Global National. In late 2005, CBC Radio host Shelagh Rogers featured the website for a special edition of Sounds Like Canada. In 2008, the website was selected by Now Magazine among "9 things we love about Jane-Finch". The website won back-to-back Canadian Ethnic Media Association Awards in 2010 and 2011 for its ongoing community news coverage and the 2011 Heritage Toronto Award of Excellence in the media category.
Media career
Nguyen is a frequent media commentator on social issues affecting the Jane and Finch community.
Advocacy
Nguyen has used his media footing to offer his opinion or act as an advocate for various issues. February 3, 2005, Nguyen appeared on Global National to talk about his viral music video You Got Beef? and Jane-Finch.com. August 4, 2005, Nguyen appeared on G4 Tech TV's Gadgets and Gizmos detailing his community work in the Jane and Finch area. October 18, 2005, CBC Radio Metro Morning host Andy Barrie introduced Nguyen's uncensored op-ed "The Real Toronto". December 2, 2005, Nguyen took CBC host Shelagh Rogers on a tour of Jane and Finch for an episode of Sounds Like Canada. January 14, 2006, Nguyen appeared on CBC's Canada Now to discuss solutions to gun violence. May 24, 2007, Nguyen and Mark Simms appeared on CTV's The Verdict with Paula Todd to discuss the Jordan Manners shooting. Summer 2007, Nguyen discussed the CBC Television documentary Lost in the Struggle in the Ryerson Review of Journalism. May 12, 2008, Nguyen talked about the growth of Jane-Finch.com in The Toronto Sun. June 18, 2009, Nguyen appeared on Goldhawk Live with Dwight Drummond and Anthony Perruzza to discuss the future of Jane and Finch. January 8, 2009, Nguyen spoke out in The Toronto Star against the rebranding of Jane and Finch to University Heights. January 8, 2010, Nguyen appeared on CBC's Metro Morning to give his opinion on Toronto's unsolved murder rate. July 5, 2010, Nguyen was interviewed on Radio Canada International's The Link with Marc Montgomery about winning the Paul Yuzyk Award. October 6, 2010, Nguyen asked then-mayoral candidate Rob Ford how he would help solve the problems in the Jane-Finch area on CBC Radio's Metro Morning. December 13, 2010, Judy Sgro, PC, MP praised Nguyen's community work in the House of Commons of Canada. June 4, 2012, Nguyen appeared on the CTV News Channel program, National Affairs, to discuss reaction to the Toronto Eaton Centre shooting. June 29, 2012, Nguyen appeared on Voice of America about being the first Vietnamese-Canadian to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.