Canadian Ethnic Media Association

The 29th annual Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) Awards were presented on June 22 before a packed auditorium at the Velma Rogers Auditorium in Toronto, with a keynote address from Ontario Prmier Dalton McGuinty. The awards were presented to journalists from Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa and from the Toronto area.

This year, there were eight CEMA Awards presented. In addition, the Sierhey Khmara Ziniak Award, named for CEMA’s founder, was presented to a person who has championed Canadian multicultural journalism.

CEMA (formerly the Canadian Ethnic Journalists and Writers Club), which was founded in 1978 as an inclusive organization for print, radio and television media now includes internet categories.

McGuinty, in a passionate address defending multiculturalism, said his focus in Ontario is to make sure that every resident gets “the same opportunity to succeed.” He asked Ontarians to remember that regardless of their backgrounds, they are all bound by “the bonds of humanity.” (more…)

Mrs. Zina Ziniak, the mother of Madeline Ziniak, Chair of the Canadian Ethnic Media Association, and a fervent supporter of CEMA, passed away at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, after a courageous struggle of many months.

We who knew her will miss this valiant lady who thought so highly of CEMA and was present at most of our events until her illness overtook her last year. She was so proud that her daughter had achieved such distinction in the media world, but had never forgotten her duty to her father’s memory and mission to make the presence of Canadian Ethnic Journalists and Writer’s Club or CEJWC (now CEMA) known to Canadians.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Cardinal Funeral Home on 366 Bathurst St (Bathurst & Dundas) in Toronto. Phone : (416) 603-1444

A Requiem service (Pannykhida) will be held on Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church.

The funeral will be held Thursday, June 21 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 23 Henry St. (College and University – Queen’s Park Subway Station). Tel. (416) 979-2990.

The burial will be at York Cemetary, 101 Senlac Ave., Toronto. 416-221-3404. A reception will follow, at the York Cemetry Reception Centre – 160 Beecroft Road.

In lieu of flowers,donations can be made to the Sunnybrook Hospital’s Palliative Care Programme.