Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Friday that Philip S. Lee, C.M., will serve as the next Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Manitoba.

"Mr. Lee had a distinguished career as a public servant for the City of Winnipeg," Prime Minister Harper said.

"He also spent his entire career working tirelessly on causes important to Manitoba's Chinese-Canadian community. Mr. Lee's efforts as a bridge-builder were recognized when he received the Order of Canada. He will serve Manitobans well as their new Lieutenant Governor," Harper added.

The Prime Minister selected Mr. Lee to serve as Manitoba's next Lieutenant Governor after direct consultation with Premier Gary Doer and Opposition Leader Hugh McFadyen.

The Provincial Government and Official Opposition both expressed their support for Mr. Lee's selection.

Lieutenant Governors are appointed by Her Excellency the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

They serve five-year terms, during which they act as their provinces' vice-regal representatives.

Lee replaces outgoing Lieutenant Governor John Harvard.

Background

Philip Lee has a distinguished record of leadership within Winnipeg's Chinese-Canadian community. For more than three decades he has served as an advocate for the concerns of Manitobans of Chinese heritage, while also serving as a bridge-builder between Winnipeg's Chinese-Canadian community and the wider community at large.

Born in Hong Kong in 1944, Mr. Lee came to Canada in 1962 to further his education at the University of Manitoba. During his student years, he was elected Chairman of the University College Students Association.

In 1967 Mr. Lee began his career with the City of Winnipeg as a research chemist. Between 1967 and 1972 he worked in the area of water research, dealing with water supply and water quality studies for the City of Winnipeg. He produced several research reports pertaining to the Shoal Lake Water Supply. He retired from the City of Winnipeg in 2005 as the Branch Head Chemist in charge of Winnipeg's Industrial Waste Control Program.

Mr. Lee became active in Winnipeg's Chinese-Canadian community during the 1970's. He played a key role in organizing the Chinese-Canadian community to participate in the first Folklorama during the Centennial Year of the Province (1970) and later became Vice President of the Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg Inc.

Between 1979 and 1986, Mr. Lee served as a member of the City of Winnipeg's Refugee Assistance Committee. He was also a driving force behind the construction of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre in the Dynasty Building, the Chinese Gate and Garden, and the Mandarin Building, all of which remain important centres within the Chinese-Canadian community and important landmark destinations for visitors to Manitoba.

Mr. Lee's leadership has been recognized through the City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (1984). He also served on the Multiculturalism Council of Canada between 1984 and 1988. He received the Recognition of Service Award from the Community and Race Relations Committee, City of Winnipeg (1990). Mr. Lee received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1993. In addition to being an Executive Board Member of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre, he is also a member of the Chinese Development Corporation and the 1995 Manitoba's 125th. Between 1995 and 1999, he was a board member of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and a board member of the Alumni Association of the University of Manitoba.

Mr. Lee was admitted to the Order of Canada in 1999. In 2002, he was the recipient of The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

He and his wife Anita married in 1968 and have three daughters; Margaret, Mabel and Malinda.