Ethnic Press Exhibition at the Canadian National Exhibition 2012– the134th edition

By William Doyle-Marshall

“I can’t believe the performances we are having and how crowded it is in this particular room and it tells you a lot about this city, about our new traditions, our new practices and our new culture but the one thing that stays the same for134 years is the Ex.”

    This was the observation made by Brian Ashton, President of the Canadian National Exhibition as he welcomed visitors to the International Pavilion at the launch of the 2012 exhibition of ethnic publications.

    It was indeed the 134^th edition of the Ex and it attracted thousands of visitors from around the Greater Toronto Area as well as visitors to the city spending time with family members and friends here. This tourist attraction for our city offered a host of activities designed to make you spend your money. Well, that’s what tourism is all about. Two real shockers at the EX were the price of roasted (barbecue) corn price and the cost of using the DC ATM machine.

      Having to pay $6.75 for a corn and get a bottle of coke thrown in as a deal sweetener felt like an utmost  rip off or a stick-up without the gun. However paying cash at the food building was not an option. This meant making using your bank card at the ATM machine. That is a cost: $2.75 plus whatever your own banking institution would levy on you for using another bank’s atm. The one sound advice is:  remember to put cash in your pocket before going to the EX and abandon the cash grabbing machine otherwise you will be bled  dry.

     This year the Caribbean provided its share of cultural presentations. Jamaican reggae star Freddie Mc Gregor was at the band stand and every spot was occupied. That meant they did not miss whoever was absent. Of course our good friend Jay Douglas did his usual creative things as his All Stars Band provided vital back up accompaniment to Freddie. Then at the International stage Culture Kids from Trinidad and Tobago certainly represented their country admirably.

Imagine six and seven year old performers virtually keeping a crowd of adults jumping, dancing and singing throughout their presentations. The grace with which they commanded the stage minus any suggestive movements and elegantly dancing carnival costumes earned them my nod for a return.

  Amidst the midway riding, gambling, heavy consumption of some unhealthy foods there was an exhibition of ethnic publications. This is the production of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada headed by the energetic and committed Thomas Saras. We would now share with you the launch of the exhibition

   Ashton described Thomas Saras, President of’ the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada – organizers of the exhibition – as a voice for the community; who makes sure the community’s interests are heard by everyone. Admitting that is hard work, Ashton noted that’s what makes Toronto tick and makes the City work.

   The CNE President reported proudly that the Economist Magazine’s recent decision to name Toronto the number five place in the world to live is because of Mr. Saras and other Torontonians positive attitudes. “We have such a reputation and it’s why the CNE just sparkles in the evening,” Ashton concluded.

   “Go out and spend a lot of money. Eat something that’s deep fried. You’re allowed to do it during the Ex,” he exhorted

   Jim Karygiannis, MP for Scarborough-Agincourt walked on stage carrying  a green bag containing copies of the 30 years old Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He told the audience at the International Pavilion of diverse ethnic communities, the charter that they asked their politicians to make The Conservative Government will not be printing it anymore. “You worked hard for this; you strived for this and it was translated under Liberal leadership in 35 languages,” Karygiannis reminded them.

   He told them of his sadness over the federal government’s decision to discontinue printing the very important document. Karygiannis was troubled that the Conservative Government can spend $1.6 million to advertise the 200 year war of 1812 and “they won’t spend a couple of bucks to print the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 36 languages that was translated as well as five languages of the First Nations. That’s the original tragedy”.

      Chris Alexander brought greetings from the Government of Canada and the Minister of Multiculturalism Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney. stressed that the CNE is about fun; meeting people, bringing the kids out.  He thanked Saras and the NEPMCC for the partnership with the CNE and creating a platform for showing how “our rich culture, how our multi-faceted society makes us all stronger and how that diversity is equipping us to be strong in the global economy, in the knowledge economy in the years and decades ahead.

  Rathika Sitsabaiesan is the Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge River represented the Official Opposition in the House of Commons. She thanked all members of the Canadian ethnic media for the ‘fabulous work’ they do

   “As elected representatives what we want to do is talk with our constituents and to get the message out to my community; when I go knocking on doors in my community, almost every household I go into, they are either listening to the radio, watching tv or reading a newspaper in their language, whatever language it maybe and that is because of all of the work that the ethnic media in Canada is doing. Because of the hard work that you are doing, you allow me and all of my colleagues who are elected representatives to talk with our constituents in your own language. So thank you to all of the ethnic media,” the MP affirmed.

     Thomas Mulcair, NDP Leader’s message to organizers of the exhibition expressed deep appreciation for the council’s work to promote and integrate ethnic communities in Canadian society. He was delighted to learn of Saras’ effort to showcase the council at the Exhibition, which he considered a wonderful opportunity.

   Being at the Exhibition is tantamount to traveling around the world without the worries of applying for a passport and securing travel visas. Never mind getting new luggage and nice clothing  for the fashion conscious among us. Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, and according to your fancy it was possible to hop, skip or jump  from the Toronto Star Bandshell to Direct Energy Center; the Queen Elizabeth Theatre or anywhere else your mind dictated.

August 31, 2012