Canadian Ethnic Media Association

Editorial written by: Avvy Yao-Yao Go, director of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic; Margaret Parsons executive director of the African Canadian Legal Clinic and; Uzma Shakir, executive director of the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario

Last month, Attorney General Michael Bryant announced his plan to revamp the Ontario Human Rights Commission. One central feature of the reform is that it will get rid of the commission’s “gatekeeper” function, that is, the power of the commission to dismiss cases.

Those who favour the new model say the reform is a step in the right direction because it will allow complainants to take their cases straight to the Human Rights Tribunal.

In exchange for the “direct access,” however, the commission will no longer help individuals with the investigation and prosecution of their complaints. Instead, the commission will dedicate its resources to public education, research and monitoring systemic discrimination. (more…)

Flavia Cosma’s newest book was launched at a dazzling ceremony at the University of Toronto’s Hart House by the Korean-Canadian Literary Forum-21.

Flavia Cosma is an acclaimed Canadian poet of Romanian origin. She is an award winning author and independent television documentary producer, director and writer. To date she has published nine books of poetry, a novel, a traveling memoir and a book of Fairy Tales. Her work is represented in numerous anthologies in different countries and languages. (more…)

By Zuhair (Kash) Kashmeri

Canadianethnicmedia.com Webmaster

Here is the vision that Hudson’s Bay Co’s new owner Jerry Zucker has for the company’s stories: stocking HBC stores with goods and services geared to ethnic communities where its stores are located.

This was themessagefrom the CEO & Governorto his suppliers are a large conference this week, according to a report in The Globe and Mail. (more…)

We regret to inform members of the passing of freelance journalist Helen Sherman, who joined CEMA last year.

An impassioned writer and speaker on the subject of better sign language communication for the deaf at public meetings, Helen was indefatigable in her work for the cause. She will be missed.

Some CEMA members were among the invitees to a recent briefing and discussion by the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) on the inclusion of ethnicity questions in the current national census.

Speaking to ethnocultural community members and media the ACS executive director, Jack Jedwab reviewed the reasons for the Statistics Canada question. Citing information gleaned by Statscan in its 2002 Ethnic Diversity Survey, Jedwab said that three quarters of Canadians rated ethnic identity important but srong ethnic identities do not undercut attachment to Canada; despite opinions to the contrary, there is a srong sense of belonging both to Canada and to ones ethnic origins. (more…)

CEMAs May 4 Speakers Series meeting featured two well know specialists who saidthat mainstream advertisers have begun to sit up and take notice of Canadas multicultural reality.

The two speakerswere Ray Hersh, vice-president of Media Buying Services, and Kaan Yigit, vice-president of Solutions Research Group. (more…)

By Ben Viccari

NAOSH WEEK 9 (April 30-May 6) was a timely occasion for Ontarios Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to bring its story to ethnic media at a seminar and luncheon, May 2, jointly held with CEMA.

CEMA members and other media representatives heard messages from WSIB President and CEO Jill Hutcheon and CEMA chair Madeline Ziniak as well as Ontario MPP Mario Racco, whos Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Labour Steve Peters. WSIB staff speaking on various aspects of their extensive work were John Slinger, chief corporate services officer, and Sharon Gilchrist, director of the external relations branch. (more…)

The Youth Out Loud 4K Walk to Stop the Silence Stop Child Sexual Abuse will be held on May 21 at Nathan Philips Square, co-hosted by CEMA member Jill Andrew. Youth-Out-Loud.org was formed by Emmy award winning actress Joanne Vannicola. The day will include live entertainment, arts tents, speeches from survivors and other community supporters.

Visit www.youth-out-loud.org for more details. We are still looking for volunteers and for people willing to walk to raise awareness and funding for local programs.

Pledge registration forms available online. All proceeds raised go towards Toronto Child Abuse Centre, Central Toronto Youth Services, and Youth Out Loud.

Join with students…

… from international countries to be part of the newest journalism program offered at Sheridan College. Designed for internationally trained writers and other professionals who wish to upgrade their credentials in order to join the exciting world of Canadian journalism, this program offers students an opportunity to approach journalism from a global perspective.

Download this information PDF for information on the course, instructors, etc.

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