Canadian Ethnic Media Association

Copy of a press release from the Canadian Ethnic Media Association distributed by Canada News Wire (CNW)

TORONTO,June 25 — The 31st annual Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) Awards were presented at a gala in Toronto,  Friday, June 26.

Winners range from Stephen Hui for  an aricle in Georgia Straight on the plight of the In-Shuck-chs on a reserve near Vancouver to a documentary by Lalita Krishna on a Toronto photographer’s work with at-risk youth of the Peruvian rain forest.

Eight CEMA Awards were presented.  In  addition, the Sierhey Khmara Ziniak Award, named for CEMA’s founder,went to  the person who through journalism has spoken for Canadian  multiculturalism. (more…)

Speaking to a packed audience of CEMA members, on Friday June 5th Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Liberal opposition urged them to think of the year 2017 (Canada’s 150th anniversary) as the year in which Canadians recognize the direction in which this country is headed globally. Their reach as communicators to Canada’s diverse peoples is of utmost importance in disseminating information on the potential future of this country, he said. (more…)

U.S. Consul General in Toronto, John R.  Nay, told CEMA members on June 4 that his three-year stay in Ontario has been among the most pleasurable of his tours of duty. He will be taking another posting after the beginning of July but was not able at the moment to disclose his successor’s name.

U.S. Consul General in Toronto John Nay addressed CEMA's Speaker Series on June 4.

He told a packed meeting: “On this particular day I am extremely proud to be a U.S. citizen after listening to President [Barack] Obama’s speech in Cairo. It might potentially be the start of a new peace initiative by Muslim nations and  Israel.” Copies of that speech were made available to those attending the meeting .

The Deputy Secretary of State had just completed a visit to Canada, and Nay, referring to this visit, said it pointed to the importance President Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton were attaching to U.S.-Canada relations. (more…)