NEPMCC approves of government public notices on immigration reforms

NATIONAL ETHNIC PRESS AND MEDIA COUNCIL OF CANADA Conseil national de la presse et des medias ethniques du Canada.                                                                           Canada’s Other Voices Office of the president May 08, 2008 P R E S S  R E L E A S E NEPMCC approves of government public notices on immigration reforms Toronto- The President of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC), Thomas S. Saras today issued the following comment responding to Campbell Clark’s article which appeared in today’s (May 8, 2008) “Globe and Mail”. “It is important for the Government of Canada to communicate with Canadians of all backgrounds. The current legislation regarding immigration reforms will have a direct impact on new Canadians, ethnic communities and citizens of the world interested in immigrating to Canada. To this extend the government should be applauded for their efforts to communicate the intent of this legislation through public notices in the ethnic press and media,” stated Saras. Both the Liberal Party and the NDP have been critical of the government’s ethnic media campaign regarding the proposed immigration legislation. The NEPMCC strongly believes that advertising in non-official language mediums is essential in a multicultural society as part of our democratic institutions and at the same time cost effective. 6.2 million Canadians (19.8%) of the total population of our great country were foreign born and 11 percent of them speak non-official languages at home (a growth of 20% since 2001). While mainstream print publications are facing declining readership, the ethnic press continues to steadily grow with its more than 560 publications all over Canada. “It is with regret that today I am asking the NDP and Liberal party to tone down their rhetoric regarding these very important public notices, as the members of our ethnic communities have the equal right to know. The majority of new Canadians and members of the ethnic communities, rely on the ethnic press as their primary source of news and information. Advertising important legislative amendments that will have direct impact on our communities is the right thing to,” Concluded Saras. -30- For more information please contact: Thomas S. Saras at 416- 921 89 26 or 416 996 4229 or 416 921 4229     Email:   or