Steven Hu, from Vancouver, BC, joined the Canadian Forces when he was still in high school at 16 years old after his parents signed a waiver. Steven served in the Intelligence Branch from 2018-2023, and did an overseas deployment in 2022. Nowadays, he works in the content security field in Los Angeles, working with major studios and their vendors to ensure that their intellectual property and sensitive information is protected.
While in the army Steven contributed to the Queens Own Rifles Museum, where he had the privilege of producing two documentaries on Kew Dock Yip, a Chinese Canadian WW2 veteran and the first lawyer of minority descent in Canada, who also had the major contribution of challenging the Chinese exclusion Act. In addition to that, he also produced a documentary for Toronto’s 2023 and 2024 Asian Heritage exhibitions on Chinese Canadian veterans on Force 136, an all Chinese Canadian commando unit in World War II.
You joined the Canadian Forces at 16. What motivated you to join at such a young age?
There were multiple reasons. As a first generation immigrant, I felt it was necessary to spend a period of my life in service of the place I call home. On top of that, I thought the army would be a good challenge to build character, responsibility, and resilience, and test me in ways that you couldn’t experience anywhere else. Lastly, Like many others who joined in their teenage years, I also sought adventure through the military, and thought it be a good way to see the world and build independence.
Can you speak to some of the Canadian men and women you served with?
They are my best friends, role models, and personal heroes. The people I met in the Canadian Armed Forces come from every walk of life. From big cities like Vancouver and Toronto, to small towns and villages from interior BC and the prairies, and from every ethnic, social, and economic background. The forces introduced me to so many incredible people I never would have met otherwise, and I cherish the community that came from it. Even here in the US, there's an instant connection whenever I meet a veteran.
I still stay in touch with many of the people I served with. It’s a bond that never goes away, no matter where we are and where we go. There’s people I met during basic training, on deployment, and from courses that I talk to still on a daily basis, even having not seen them for years. Having also joined at a young age, many of the people I served with became my role models. I am forever grateful for all the officers and NCOs (non-commissioned officers) who invested in my personal growth, whether it’s the behind the scenes admin work that gave me opportunities to succeed, or the skills and values they’ve passed on to me that will carry with me for the rest of my life.
But above all, the dedication and love of our country that many of our veterans and serving soldiers, sailors, and aviators have is what inspires me the most. These sacrifices are often invisible to the public: The long overseas deployments that last 6 to 18 months away from home, the anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays missed because of training and operational demands, and the military families that carry on with life while a mother, father, son or daughter is serving in adverse conditions. These are the things they carry while we go about our daily lives.
During the Remembrance Day period, I also reflect on all the previous generations that have made the ultimate sacrifice for Canada. When I was a student at the University of Toronto, I would pass by Soldiers' Tower, a monument on campus, during my evening runs every day. On its walls are inscribed the names of every member of this university who fell in the World Wars. When you read those names, it truly makes you reflect on the moral courage it took for them to give up their studies, and their own dreams, to fight for something so much bigger than themselves. When I visited Seoul recently, I was humbled by the gratitude of another country, as I read Canada's plaque at the Korean War Memorial, which said: "The memory of 516 brave Canadians who died in service in the Korean War will never be forgotten."
What was your main area of focus in the military?
I served in the Intelligence Branch and completed five years of service as a Corporal. I was awarded the Operational Service Medal - Expedition, for an overseas deployment in 2022.
What brought you to Los Angeles?
After graduating with my Master’s degree from Georgetown University, I came to Los Angeles to work in the Content Security space within the film industry. I work with major studios on leveraging information security best practices to help protect sensitive IP and content.
You have produced two documentaries on Chinese Canadians and their contributions to WWII. It seems being in Los Angeles is a perfect fit to get into producing. Did you ever think you’d get into the movie business and live in LA when you first joined the Canadian Forces growing up in Vancouver?
Like many people who grew up in Vancouver, I often saw productions happening around the city. Working in film was always something I was interested in, but never thought possible. The army was the alternate path I took because it also aligned with my other personal aspirations, and a more tangible career path as well.
That being said, the army also provided me ample opportunities to still get involved in producing and filmmaking. I volunteered at the Queen’s Own Rifles Regimental Museum for three years at the iconic Casa Loma castle in downtown Toronto, where I made several short form content for the museum YouTube page to promote museum exhibits and artifacts. Additionally, I had temporary assignments at public affairs units, capturing events such as field exercises and regimental hockey tournaments. It was through these experiences that I got to make documentaries on the contributions of Chinese Canadian veterans for the City of Toronto’s Asian heritage month programming. The first film was on Kew Dock Yip, a Chinese Canadian World War II veteran and Canada’s first minority lawyer, who repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act through a Supreme Court challenge. My second film was on Force 136, a World War II commando unit consisting of exclusively Chinese Canadians trained to infiltrate Japanese occupied Southeast Asia, of which included the future first minority member of parliament, Douglas Jung. These films were shown at Fort York historic site on Canada Day, The Chinese Canadian Museum, and film festivals in Edmonton and Vancouver.
These opportunities to work on my filmmaking and producing skills definitely helped push the needle forward for me to eventually pursue a career in entertainment. As I am currently on the technology and security side of the industry, my occupational training and operational experiences in the intelligence branch also taught me the skills needed to succeed in the field.
Where can people watch your documentaries?
YouTube!
The story about Asian veterans and Kew Dock Yip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb_MztXtIH0&t=30s
and Force 136:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vud9P36PIWg
To note. Gordon Quan, the World War II veteran who I interviewed and the last surviving member of Force 136, passed away in early October at the age of 99. He grew up in a time when the Chinese were treated as second-class citizens, and fought for a Canada that would not do the same for him. It was an incredible honour to meet Gordon, a larger than life man who had not only tremendous impact on the civil rights of our nation but in inspiring many to serve in the Forces, such as myself. May he rest in peace.
What do you miss most about Canada?
Measuring things in Celsius, Costco food court Poutine, Coffee Crisps, and not having to use pennies.