Passage to Freedom, produced by Sheila Petzold, is a moving documentary that features oral histories of Southeast Asian refugees that made the dangerous journey from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam to Canada. The film effectively weaves archival clips of news stories, wartime footage, and interviews with former refugees and Canadian immigration officials. New government policies and programs enabled Canada to resettle over 100,000 Southeast Asian refugees from 1975 to 1985. The Canadian response to the refugee crisis was recognized internationally with the awarding of the UNHCR Nansen Medal in 1986. The film delves into the harrowing and courageous journey of the refugees during the Vietnam War, the Secret Lao War, and the Cambodian Genocide; their struggles in settlement; and their resilience in starting a new life in a new country. It highlights their successful integration into the fabric of Canadian life and the contributions of this first generation and their descendants in Canada. 

Admission is free, thanks to our sponsors and volunteers.

Hearts of Freedom – Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees is a pop-up exhibition that focuses on the personal histories of refugees from Southeast Asia who came to Canada between 1975 and 1985, and the stories of people who assisted them.

For other partners of the national Hearts of Freedom Committee, click here.