Canadian Ethnic Media Association

CEMA’s annual awards gala and 30^th anniversary celebrations were held before a packed audience at the Rogers Building in downtown Toronto on June 27, 2008. The show was followed by a rooftop reception for the award winners.

Early the next morning, CEMA vice-president Ace Alvarez received this gratifying e-mail from Cora de la Cruz, Director Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto: “Thank you … for inviting me. It’s a great event to celebrate it together with so wonderful, hardworking and dedicated people and listening to their accomplishments and visions.  It’s so inspiring!”

 An honoured guest this year was Minister of State for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, bringing greetings from Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Kenney made awards to recipients in the Radio category (see below for complete listings of winners).

 Kenney reminded the audience that multiculturalism owed its roots to Senator Paul Yucyk and a group of Ukrainian-Canadians who in the mid-sixties deplored the Soviet suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture in their homeland and sought to have it preserved in Canada. (more…)

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. (more…)