We dance around the word Christmas with different definitions. Last year it was "Awards Night" and this year it was "Family Night" but always, hey, something to write about.
This year the main speaker was Premier Dalton McGuinty, MPP, joined by Provincial Ministers, The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, MPP, Education Minister and The Honourable Margarett Best, MPP, Health Promotion.
Federal Liberal Member the Honourable Jim Karygiannis, PC, MP pointed out that even though half of Toronto is foreign born, only three and a half percent of the government advertising budget is directed to ethnic publications.
Provincial Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory was there along with Federal Conservative member Ed Comaneci MP, representing Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Maurizio Bevilacqua, MP, represented Federal Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion and Peter Tabuns, MPP, represented Provincial NDP Leader Howard Hampton.
The glad story was that some small papers which were stapled together were suddenly reassessed and charged Provincial Sales Tax, one as much as one million dollars putting its existence in danger (larger papers were not assessed this way). They almost had the assessment repealed but Finance Minister Greg Sorbara resigned. On December 12 a group called "Save Our Voice" had a press conference at the Queens Park Legislature to protest the retroactive tax and the revenue ministry sent a message saying they will repeal the tax.
The second point of interest was the NEPMCC is in conjunction with Sheridan College Journalism Department is planning a course tailored towards ethnic journalists ranging from writing to selling advertising, held at Ryerson University (because of the central location). Dr. Robert Hunter, President and CEO of Sheridan College was there to show his support to the project.
Then there was entertainment, a Hungarian violinist, Chinese dancers along with other entertainers, and food from several places.
This event was definitely a political junkie's delight.
PC Leader John Tory and Dr. Robert Hunter President & CEO of Sheridan College.
Photo: Adu Raudkivi
Photo: Adu Raudkivi