Canadian Ethnic Media Association

A synopsis of the outgoing speech by CEMA President Ben Viccari at the annual awards gala of the Canadian Ethnic Media Association on June 27, 2008. The day was also Multiculturalism Day in Canada and CEMA’s 30th birthday. Ben, a long-time journalist, commentator and communications specialist, who turns 90 on July 2, 2008, a.k.a. Senor Multiculturalism, is well-known as one of the most fervent backers of Canada showing the world how different cultures can live harmoniously. He recently produced a documentary on the subject called The ‘M’ Word.

It gives me enormous pride and pleasure to introduce our 30th  Anniversary Gala on Multiculturalism Day 2008.
I must first inform you of a last minute change in our program.  The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of State for Multiculturalism, who was to have brought greetings from Prime Minister Harper, cannot be with us until later this evening. Read the rest of this entry »

On May 9, the Greater Toronto Area Liberal Caucus saluted CEMA with a reception at Monte Cassino Place. The event, hosted by York–South Weston Member of Parliament Alan Tonks drew a number of Liberals from the area, including Senators David Smith, Art Eggleton and Lorna Milne and MPs who were former cabinet ministers, Judy Sgro, Maria Minna and John McCallum.

Hon. Maria Minna, MP chats with OMNI V-P News Programs Renato Zane

CEMA Chair Madeline Ziniak thanked the caucus for recognizing the important anniversary of an organization that had an all-inclusive policy of welcoming members of print, electronic and internet media and sought to form a bridge between all Canadian communities.

Chair Madeline Ziniak speaks to the assembly, backed by caucus members

Ben Viccari, CEMA president offered the association’s condolences on the recent passing of Carlo Caccia, MP for 36 years, an early champion of environmental issues who became Minister of the Environment. Caccia, he said, epitomized everything that was admirable about immigration and citizenship: a successful engineer with a good business future dedicating his talents to an ideal and entering politics.

Also present among the Liberal representatives was a former media colleague, Laura Albanese MPP for York South –Weston, a vigorous supporter of ethnic journalism and former host of OMNI-TV’s Italian language Noi Oggi.

June 27, 2008 — Multiculturalism Day– is the date of this year’s CEMA 30th Anniversary Awards Gala.

All members will soon receive by regular mail a convenient order form.

Judging by last year’s attendance we advise a hasty reply with your order Individual ticket prices are once again held to $40 with a special “early bird”rate of $35 for those ordering by June 14.

What is chronic complex illness? It’s when a man, woman or child has more than one life-threatening illness. A growing number of Canadians is affected, President and CEO of Bridgepoint Health Marian Walsh told CEMA members at our May Speaker Series meeting.

Bridgepoint President and CEO Marian Walsh chats with Frank Ruffolo

Putting it simply, she said, medical science has so advanced that people are living longer, including those who’ve been affected by such chronic ailments as heart disease, stroke and cancer. Often one person can experience two or more such illnesses.

Bridgepoint Health, a 470 bed facility occupies the former Riverdale Hospital which in previous incarnations has been an isolation hospital for infectious diseases and a geriatric hospital. It was saved from demolition by the Ontario Department of Health. It will however disappear once a new 500-bed hospital being erected beside it is completed.

Heather Gillley, award winning specialist in internal and geriatric medicine and newly appointed Vice President of Medicine at Bridgepoint, spoke of the need to create greater public awareness of complex chronic illness. Bridgepoint will share its knowledge and research with other health care facilities, she said.

“There are five major risk factors for chronic illness; two are out of our control — age and heredity — while three are preventable — poor diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use, Gilley said.

She emphasized the fact that Bridgepoint’s patients reflect Canada’s diversity and that efforts are being made to admit foreign trained professionals who haven’t yet qualified to practise in Canada. They can perform in highly effective and useful areas until they have qualified.

A very complete media kit was distributed to members, and John Poldre, director of communications says he’d be delighted to supply a kit on request to him at <jpoldre@bridgepointhealth.ca>

The Canadian Women’s Foundation has announced that this year’s Michele Landsberg Award recipient is CEMA member Jill Andrew. The award, granted annually, recognizes young women who are outstanding feminists in the area of media or activism. Jill’s commitment to women’s issues is evident in her journalism, volunteerism, work and education.

Beverley Wybrow, CWF President & CEO said: “ Jill infuses everything she does with a passion for teaching others about the issues facing women and girls in Canada,” She is currently a Women & Gender Studies Masters student at the University of Toronto.

“We selected Jill Andrew for this year’s Michele Landsberg Award because she exemplifies the purpose of the award, which is to recognize the leading work of a young woman in journalism and activism on women’s issues. Jill’s passion and commitment to women’s issues is evident in her journalism, volunteerism, work and education. She does an excellent job of bringing women’s issues to the attention of the public and creating understanding of, and action on, the issues. She is a dynamic and creative young leader and we are happy to recognize her with this award.”

The Michele Landsberg Award was created to honour the tremendous impact that Michele Landsberg has had as an advocate and role model for all women in Canada and to celebrate the next generation of women who are working toward the goal of social equality for women and girls.