David H. Tsubouchi

David H. Tsubouchi is the Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Trades, is appointed as the Honorary Consul General for Mongolia, and is author of his memoir “Gambatte,” which was nominated for the Speaker’s Book Award. He also currently sits on the Board of Governors for Seneca College and on the Board of Directors for the Markham Stouffville Hospital. Mr. Tsubouchi has worked as a partner in several law firms and has also served on other Boards of Directors, including for Hitachi Canada, York University, the Canadian Professional Golf Tour, and Teranet Income trust. He also was appointed by the Republic of Vietnam as the Co-Chair of the Canada Vietnamese Business Council.

Mr. Tsubouchi holds the distinction of being the first Japanese Canadian to have been elected to any position in Canada. In 1988, he was elected as a Councilor for the Town of Markham, serving for six years. In 1995, he became the first Japanese Canadian to be elected to a provincial legislature and also to serve as a Cabinet Minister. Mr. Tsubouchi served as a Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Markham for two terms and has held several cabinet posts in the Ontario Legislature, including Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Solicitor General, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet, and Minister of Culture. As a campaign chair, Mr. Tsubouchi has raised millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations and institutions, including Seneca College, Georgia Brown College, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, and the Rising Sun Campaign to assist victims of the tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

Mr. Tsubouchi has received several other awards and honors, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Bruce Bryden Award from York University, the Award of Merit from the Japanese Canadian Community, and the Canadian Horse Racing Industry Award of Recognition. Mr Tsubouchi is a frequent lecturer and key note speaker, speaking on matters including business development and the imprisonment of Japanese Canadians during WWII.

Born in Toronto, Mr. Tsubouchi’s parents were interned during World War II, when Canadians of Japanese descent were imprisoned and their property, possessions, and businesses were confiscated. His memoir “Gambatte,” which is a Japanese word meaning “do your best and never give up,” recalls his family and outlines his unusual career path, which has included acting, writing, law, politics, and community service. Mr. Tsubouchi holds a B.A. from York University, a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School, and an LL.D. from Assumption University.