Paul Nguyen

Last updated
Paul Nguyen
PaulNguyen.jpg
Paul Nguyen receiving an award at the Ontario Legislative Building.
Born
Paul Nguyen

(1980-02-23) February 23, 1980 (age 44)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Alma mater York University (B.A.)
Occupation(s) Filmmaker, activist, journalist
Website Jane-Finch.com

Paul Nguyen, MSM OMC (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. [1] He is featured on Noteworthy Canadians of Asian heritage [2] by the Government of Canada.

Contents

Nguyen co-produced the Netflix true crime documentary What Jennifer Did, which explored the Jennifer Pan case. It became the number one Netflix movie in the world [3] during its first week of release. [4] [5]

Nguyen was 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 . [6] In late 2005, CBC Radio host Shelagh Rogers featured the website for a special edition of Sounds Like Canada . [7] In 2008, the website was selected by Now Magazine among "9 things we love about Jane-Finch". [8] The website won back-to-back Canadian Ethnic Media Association Awards in 2010 and 2011 for its ongoing community news coverage [9] and the 2011 Heritage Toronto Award of Excellence in the media category. [10] In 2021, Nguyen received the Star Metroland Media Urban Hero Award for combating stereotypes. [11]

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.

Broadcast

Nguyen has produced several documentaries featuring Toronto's Jane and Finch neighborhood. In 2006, Nguyen served as an associate producer on the Gemini Award-nominated CBC documentary Lost in the Struggle. [27] Nguyen and Mark Simms spent 10 months following the lives of three troubled youth from the Jane and Finch neighborhood. [28] The story was updated six years later in Lost in the Struggle: The Next Chapter, which aired on CBC on October 26, 2012. [29]

Awards

Short films

Electoral record

2022 Ontario general election : Humber River—Black Creek
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
New Democratic Tom Rakocevic 7,95934.492.93$92,545
Liberal Ida Li Preti7,07630.66+2.72$64,439
Progressive Conservative Paul Nguyen 6,86529.750.54$63,667
Green Keith Berry4301.86+0.30$1,068
Ontario Party Lee Miguel Gonzalez3571.55 $4,264
New Blue Iulian Caunei2811.22 $1,023
Independent Knia Singh1100.48 $1,296
Total valid votes/Expense limit23,07898.560.17$98,948
Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots3371.44+0.17
Turnout23,41533.1514.11
Eligible voters70,673
New Democratic hold Swing 2.83
Source(s)
  • "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-18.
  • "Statistical Summary by Electoral District" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-21.

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References

  1. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee: a Canadian celebration Archived 2012-08-08 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Noteworthy Canadians of Asian heritage
  3. Jennifer Pan Netflix documentary sparks renewed interest in Markham murder-for-hire case coverage: A timeline of major stories
  4. This nerve-shredding true crime doc just rocketed to #1 on Netflix
  5. True-Crime Documentary ‘What Jennifer Did’ Debuts Big On Netflix Global Top 10 Movies Chart
  6. Vuchnich, Aliison (February 1, 2005). "Jane-Finch.com on Global National: Internet Neighborhood", Global National
  7. 1 2 Sounds Like Canada
  8. 9 things we love about Jane-Finch
  9. OMNI Television Presents the 32nd Annual Canadian Ethnic Media Association Awards
  10. 2011 Heritage Toronto Awards recipients announced
  11. URBAN HERO: Paul Nguyen combats Jane-Finch stereotypes on 'positive' news portal
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  21. Unsolved murder rate
  22. Mayoral Candidates' Debate
  23. Community Volunteerism
  24. National Affairs: Shootings and stereotyping
  25. Thanh niên gốc Việt nhận Huy chương Kim khánh bội tinh Kim Cương của Nữ hoàng Anh
  26. "The 22nd Annual Gemini Awards Nominees Announced" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  27. 1 2 Lost in the Struggle
  28. 1 2 Lost in the Struggle: The Next Chapter
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  30. Rap Battle [EXPLICIT LANGUAGE]
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  35. 1 2 Stop Racism
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  37. Recipients of the 2018 Canada’s Volunteer Awards
  38. Podcast about trans woman escaping from Syria wins award
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  40. Outstanding Volunteers Receive June Callwood Awards
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  51. 2010 Award Recipient for Outstanding Achievement
  52. William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations
  53. 2009 William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations winners
  54. Advocate wins city award
  55. Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards
  56. Racism. Stop It!
  57. 60 second interview with Paul Nguyen
  58. Know Your Rights screening
  59. Empowerment at heart of poet's positive message
  60. Rapping against Jane-Finch's bum rap
  61. Vietnamese International Film Festival
  62. Vietnamese International Film Festival