Meeting Minutes - Nov. 08, 2004

Minutes of the monthly meeting held at Queen's Park on November 08, 2004 Present: Thomas Saras Srmial Abeyawardene Maxwell Wynter Hassan Zerehi Anne Dawson Hasan Yilmaz Fitzroy Gordon Massood Mashadi Kendrick Bob Teshome  Wordemanuel Josivaldo Rodriques Eva Wada B.K.Loo B. Ubale Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Shah Hotaki Mila Garcia Hermie Garcia Marek J. Cooldyn Clyde McNeal Jai Maharaj Emmanuel Ayiku Emily Mills Fernando Gonsinski Luba Cherny Sibbille Foster Iraj Emad Cindy Gu Dirk Tissera Tanya Nutall Absent: Mona Feng   Agenda 1 Minutes of the previous meeting 2 President's Report 3.Discussions 4.End of meeting The Chair called the meeting to an order. He asked the council to approve the minutes of the previous monthly meeting held on November 08, 2004. Minutes of the Previous Meeting: Hassan Zerehi moved a motion seconded by Thomas Saras to approve the minutes of the monthly meeting held on October, 2004. It was carried. President's Report/Discussions: Thomas Saras began his report by expressing grief at the demise of Hassan Zerehi’s mother. He offered his prayers and sympathies to the Family of Hassan Zerehi one of the Vice-President. The President praised Tanya Nuttal for travelling to Ottawa and devoting her time for the meeting, leaving behind her daily business in Toronto. The meeting took place in the building of ministry of Public Works in Ottawa. The meeting was attended by the Director of the Department responsible for Government advertising, the manager of the department responsible for distributing Government ads, the Director of communications of Privy Council, the recording secretary of the Privy Council. Thomas Saras and Tanya Nutall represented the council at the meeting. There was no chair for this meeting and this meeting took place in the form of open dialogue and discussions. Thomas Saras asked Tanya Nutall to brief the members on the outcome of the meeting. Tanya Nutall shared her thoughts on the outcome of the meeting. She informed the council that there were debates on certain issues and that the council was able to make the point there needs to be a change in the way the government ads are distributed in ethnic media.  She said the council highlighted the role played by the private agency, which distributes government advertising in ethnic newspapers Thomas Saras informed the members that the agency could no longer charge any commission from the ethnic publications other than 15% paid in taxes. The government representatives asked the Council to submit the list of it’s members as the government is trying to update it’s record on the list of all ethnic publications. Thomas Saras told the Council that the PMO informed him that the government is trying to increase advertising in ethnic publications. He mentioned that the council is also trying to negotiate for more government advertising in radio and electronic media. Thomas Saras informed the Council that on November 16 he has been invited by the special committee on telecommunications, Senate of Canada to make the case of ethnic media before them.. He said he is working towards making a report to be presented before the Senate committee . One of the highlights of the report would be to ask the government to allocate 10% of it’s advertising revenue for ethnic media. Following this there were various discussions on government advertising and the role the private agency plays in distributing the ads. Presentation by Sybill: Sybill Foster made a short presentation on the meeting with Heritage Canada. The meeting was attended by Thomas Saras, Luba Cherny, Mona Feng, Tanya Nutall , Masood, Sybill Foster and officials from Heritage Canada. She briefed the members on the negotiations that the council is undergoing with the ministry to benefit the ethnic media industry. Presentation by Masood:  Masood made a presentation regarding the regulations governing ethnic publications: He briefed the council on the regulations governing the newspapers and magazines and the distinction between them. He also spoke about government run programs for the ethnic publications and the various subsidies that the publications can avail of. Thomas Saras told the council that Heritage Canada wants to reform regulations and procedures governing ethnic publications and wants suggestions from the NEPMCC in order to simplify various procedures for government run programs. Thomas Saras told the council that he has been in constant consultation with Heritage Canada towards the preparation of the national conference on ethnic media in October of 2005. He also said that Heritage Canada has offered funding to hire a consulting company towards the preparation of the National Conference. Thomas Saras said that the members should start working towards the National Conference in order to be better organized for the event. In this regard he moved a motion to begin working for the national conference which would take place in October 2005. Tanya Nutall seconded the motion. It was carried. The Chair suggested of forming a committee of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers that would have the commitment of working towards the preparation of national conference. Accordingly a committee was formed with the following members Thomas Saras Luba Cherny Sybill Foster Hassan Zerehi Masood Tanya Nutall Clyde McNeil Hermie Garcia The Chair Clyde McNeil suggested that this committee could meet after the monthly meeting is concluded to decide on their agenda. Thomas Saras urged the members to avail the resources that are available for ethnic publications so that budget for the ethnic publications is not underutilized The chair reiterated the point made by the President and told that the council can only ask for increases in the budget for ethnic publications from the government only when the potential available budget for ethnic media is fully utilized. He gave  out a government web site address – www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/cnf where members can get more information on government loans and subsidies for ethnic media. Kendrick Bob, publisher of the “ Ambassador “ magazine told the council that his publication would reserve a page for an article for any member willing to contribute on any issue facing their community Thomas Saras told the that the council would be printing seasonal greeting cards which would be send to various officials and politicians as well to the members of this council. He asked aNee Dawson if she has any suggestion to this regard. Anne Dawson presented a sample greeting card which had the message of peace for the holidays and the coming season. She also suggested that the card could have a logo of the NEPMCC on it. Many members shared their ideas on this.It was then decided that the seasonal greeting card would have the logo of the NEPMCC and  will have as  may flags as it can accommodate. The President praised the efforts of Ahmadshah Hotaki. for his efforts in the “ Word on the street Festival”. He also expressed disappointment as very few newspapers from the members were displayed at the festival. He said the council should work together to promote the interest of the industry. Thomas Saras mentioned that the Provincial Government is going to provide advertisements on a monthly basis to the members of the council. He told the council that he will be travelling to Ottawa on October 20, to meet with an executive of the Privy Council to discuss issues related to Government advertising. He said that he would also drop by the ministry of multiculturalism while he is in Ottawa. There were then discussions on the seasonal get together which was scheduled for the month of December.  Hassan Zerehi suggested that Haroon Siddiqui who is a columnist in the Toronto Star would be available as a guest speaker if the seasonal party takes place on Monday December 6, 2004. Saras informed the council that MP Jim Karygiannis has offered to sponsor the seasonal party at a restaurant in Etobicoke. Thomas Saras then moved a motion to accept the invitation of Jim Karygiannis and celebrate the seasonal party on December 6 at a restaurant selected by Jim Karygiannis. It was carried.   The President informed the members that there was an article published on the NEPMCC in the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail. Thomas Saras suggested that the council could arrange for Guest speakers from time to time to discuss on important policy issues. End of meeting: The chair, Jai Maharaj adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. The next meeting would take place on November 8, 2004 at Queens Park.