DAVID SEE-CHAI LAM
The Honorable David See-Chai Lam was sworn-in as British Columbia's 25th Lieutenant-Governor in September, 1988. He is the first 'Chinese' Lieutenant-Genernor in Canada.
With his wife, Dorothy, and their three young daughters, he emigrated to Canada in 1967, becoming a Canadian citizen in 1972.
Born in Hong Kong, the grandson of a Baptist minister, he received a Christian upbringing before taking an Economics degree at Lingnan University in China and an MBA from Temple University in Philadelphia. He pursued a career in banking in Hong Kong for 18 years before making Canada his home in 1967.
He entered the development field, eventually founding his own investment firm. In 1982, he concluded his professional business interests, and at that time devoted his life to philanthropic pursuits. He and Dorothy provided substantial gifts to higher educational institutions and worthy community projects through their charitable Foundations.
In 1987 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from The University of British Columbia, and in 1988, the prestigious Order of Canada at an investiture ceremony in Ottawa. Honorary degrees were subsequently awarded by Baylor University (1990), Simon Fraser University (1991), Eastern College (1991), Royal Roads Military College (1991), and Hong Kong Baptist College (1992).
Dr. Lam attributed his business and personal success to combining the best of Christian and Confucian ideals. As Lieutenant Governor he shared those experiences which contributed positively to the challenges of a changing world.
Dr. Lam's vision of Canada included a place where immigrants will not only find refuge and opportunity, but also contribute the best of their cultures and unique backgrounds to the rich pluralism of this land. The combination of his imagination and generosity has had an enormous impact on the British Columbia community.

Information Provided by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor