Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong once called his life story the “Canadian dream.”
The football star and successful businessman saw the rich irony of his 2005 appointment as the Queen’s representative in Alberta.
Decades earlier, his immig ra n t parents were not allowed to vote because of strict anti-Chinese legislation. Their right to place a ballot came in 1947, months after Kwong turned 18.
“They talk a lot about the American dream,” Kwong told reporters at the time of his swearing-in ceremony. “Well, my story has to be the Canadian dream. My father was an immigrant grocer who couldn’t even vote in Canada until his 40th year in Canada, and he has a son who becomes the lieutenant-governor of this province. There’s not many places where you can achieve that kind of success.”
On Monday, Kwong’s official portrait was unveiled at the provincial legislature, marking his place as Alberta’s 16th lieutenant-governor.
Looking back on his time in office last week, Kwong’s thoughts on being Alberta’s first Asian-Canadian lieutenant-governor were more muted.
“I’ve been the first Asian in a lot of things. . . . I’ve never really thought about it,” he said.
“I guess probably I am (a role model) to some people. I’ve never made a point of trying to be one. I’ve just been myself through my life,” Kwong said.
“I just hope I carried on the tradition of lieutenant-governors in Alberta, and did the job credibly, and hopefully with no hiccups.”
Born in Calgary in 1929, Kwong’s Cantonese name was Lim Kwong Yew. But over the years — as he racked up Grey Cup wins first with the Calgary Stampeders and then the Edmonton Eskimos — Kwong came to be known to Albertans as “Normie” and the “China Clipper.”
In 1948, the 18-year-old Stampeder was not only the Canadian Football League’s first Asian player, he was the youngest player on a championship-winning team.
Following his career in football, Kwong made his fortune in real estate. By 1989, as part-owner of the Calgary Flames, Kwong would become the first Canadian to win both the Grey and Stanley Cups.
He was named to the Order of Canada in 1998, and in 2005 he was appointed Alberta’s lieutenant-governor by then-prime minister Paul Martin.
On Monday, politicians recognized Kwong’s ability to bring a sense of dignity to the office representing the Queen in Alberta, balanced with a keen sense of humour.
“His honour brought warmth, he brought dignity to the post of (lieutenant) governor, as well as (a) playful spirit,” Premier Ed Stelmach said.
He described Kwong and his wife Mary as tireless promoters of Alberta, seniors, citizen engagement and multiculturalism.
Liberal Leader David Swann applauded Kwong’s outstanding service to the province and people of Alberta.
Back in Calgary, Doug Mitchell, a co-owner of the Stampeders and longtime friend of Kwong and his wife, said he’s talked extensively with him during his time as lieutenant-governor and found he thoroughly enjoyed the job.
Kwong’s attributes — a family man, former athlete and past businessman — allowed him to relate to all sorts of people in every corner of the province, he explained
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