Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on May 11, 2015, at Committee Room No 2, Toronto City Hall.Present:Thomas S. Saras Neel Nanda Maria Saras-Voutsinas Tatyana Fursenko Jacques varbedian Suleyman Guven Ricky Castellvi Justin N. Teshome Worldeamanuel Mohammad-Bolgher Samimi ISA MELO Daniel Pascaggi Mark Tissinaton Jenna Hay Suleyman Guven Ishan Ghazarian Adu Raudkavi Maria Swietorzecha R. Roman Mark Goldyn Mike Yolosongie Nihi Nanda Charles Sousa (minister) Bill wittager Janus Nienkzyk Mohammad Tajdolati Jonathan Annobil Emmanuel Ayiku John Saraidaris Ned Blair Patrick Long Ernesto Donan Susana Donan Ahmed Hotaki Andre Mazurece Mulgeta Zergaber C. Senthi Hai-Tien Lin Luba Cherny Ishkhan Ghazarian Luije Aparicio Paula McKeygei Srimal Abeyewardene John Saraidaris Muhammed Enad Charles deva Hermie Garcia Mila Garcia. Agenda1. Welcome Remarks by the chair. 2. Minutes of the previous meeting 3. Report of the President. 4. Presentation by Hon. Charles Sousa 5. New Business 6. Adjournment Welcome Remarks by the Chair:Mr. Thomas Saras chaired the meeting and declared the meeting open. Dr. Tajdolati moved a motion to approve the agenda. Maria Saras- Voutsinas seconded it. The motion was carried
Minutes of the previous meeting:Dr. Tajdolati moved a motion to approve the minutes of the previous monthly meeting Maria Saras-Voutsinas seconded it. The motion was carried. President’s Report/Discussions:• President Thomas Saras announced this year the ethnic press festival which took place on the week of May 3- May 10 with the opening ceremony on Monday May 4 at the rotunda of City Hall was a huge success. The opening ceremony took place to mark the “World Press Freedom Day” in solidarity with the journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty last year. The event was attended by many dignitaries from all levels of government. NEPMCC hosted a grand reception at the rotunda of the City Hall with full dinner and wine along with spectacular live entertainment. The event was very successful. Presentation by Hon. Charles Sousa Minister of Finance OntarioMaria Saras Voutsinas introduced Hon. Charles Sousa to the council. Charles Sousa thanked everyone for making NEPMCC a success He mentioned that the work that ethnic media does is critical. “We have 200 languages spoken in Toronto alone. He mentioned that ethnic media plays a very important role in Canadian Society and praised the hard work and dedication for all involved in the ethnic media industry. We have budget that is progressive and fiscally sound. The budget is based on four major pillars.” Renewing and expanding public infrastructure supports Ontario's industries, creates jobs and positions Ontario to better compete in the global economy while meeting the education, health care, and road and transit needs of the future. When Ontario invests, it is building -- and when it is building, it is growing. The 2015 Budget continues and expands on Ontario's plan to make an unprecedented investment of more than $130 billion in public infrastructure over 10 years. He also mentioned that Ontario has taken the necessary steps to move the Province forward. He gave his views on other issues relating to the budget, economy and infrastructure and then opened the floor for discussions Mareck Goodyn, Isa Melo, Mila Garcia, Janus, Dr. Tajdolati, Janus Raudkavi, and other members participated in the roundtable discussions and asked questions on a wide variety of issues such as housing, infrastructure, tax credits, PanAm games and so on. Hon. Charles Sousa candidly answered all questions to everyone’s satisfaction. President Thomas Saras thanked the minister for his time. Following the roundtable discussions there was a picture taking opportunity with the members. New Business -
Adjournment:Mohammad Tajdolati moved a motion to adjourn the meeting Srimal Abeyawardene seconded it. The motion was carried. The Chair President Thomas Saras adjourned the meeting at 10:00 pm. The next monthly meeting would take place June 08, 2015 at City Hall, committee room #2.
|