They called it a backlash when it really was a poke in the ribs. In June 1995, Markham deputy mayor Carole Bell delivered a blow to Toronto's Chinese community. She complained of the development of large Chinese malls sporting Chinese signs.
Ms Bell, a 19-year political veteran of the Toronto-area city, said she was merely representing her voters' concerns. But 15 per cent of them are Chinese-Canadians, many recent Hong Kong immigrants.
Chinese-Canadians thought it was a racially motivated cheap shot and were outraged.
So Dr Joseph Wong Yu-kai stepped into the ring. Smartly dressed with friendly eyes, and flashing an uncomfortable smile, the 49-year-old looks the middle-aged professional, not someone who would go face-to-face with a politician.
But Dr Wong is not to be taken lightly. He was named Toronto's Man of the Year in 1986, and awarded the Order of Canada in 1993 - an honour only given to the greatest Canadians - and had earned unparalleled influence and respect.
He asked the Markham mayor to denounce the deputy's racist remarks. The politician refused.
'That really made me angry,' Dr Wong recalls. 'I thought somebody who was courageous had to say a few words for the community.' If there can be one, and he dismisses it, he would be that champion. His return punch was a letter, a petition signed by 12 Toronto-area mayors, condemning Ms Bell's comments.
