Meeting Minutes - Jun. 13, 2005

Minutes of the monthly meeting held at Queen's Park on June 13, 2005 Present: Thomas Saras Sanny Sang Neel Nanda Iraj Emad Srmial Abeyawardene Maxwell Wynter Clyde McNeil Hassan Zerehi Hasan Yilmaj Massood Masnsoorzade Ahmed Mohamed Majid Mir-Zohari Danielle Zhu Mohammad Tajdolati Anne Dawson Kenrick Bobb B. Ubale Dominique Leval Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Shah Hotaki Teshome Woldeamanuel Jai O. Maharaj Dominique Leval Sybille Foster- Rentmeister Tania Nuttall Cindy Gu Luba Cherny Aris Babician Emmanuel Ayiku   Absent: Max Wynter Anne Dawson Massood Khan Hermie Garcia Josivaldo Rodriques Elizabeth Wolski Mona Feng   Agenda   1. Opening Remarks by the Chair   2. Minutes of the previous meeting   3. President's Report   4. New Business   5. End of meeting The Chair, Clyde McNeil welcomed everyone to the meeting. Masood Mansoorzadeh moved a motion to approve the agenda of the meeting. It was carried by all. Minutes of the Previous Meeting: Ahmed Mohammed moved a motion seconded by Masood Mansoorzadeh to approve the minutes of the monthly meeting held on May 09, 2005. It was carried. President's Report/Discussions: Thomas Saras began his report by informing the council of the roundtable meeting, that took place on June 01, 2005 with representatives from the Ministry of PW, the Department of Public Works, the Cossette Media, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, members of the NEPMCC and representatives of the ethnic media at large.  He said the meeting was very productive and successful. He received assurances from the officials of the Department of Public Works, that they will look into ways to make things easier for the producers of radio and electronic media so that they can receive their due share of Government advertising. He said one of the outcomes of the meeting was to establish a standing committee, comprising the members of the NEPMCC and the Department of Public Works, to jointly resolve issues that arise in the industry. He mentioned that he send out a report on the outcome of the roundtable meeting to the PMO. He said there is a need to form a committee of three members from NEPMCC who will work with Cossette Media on the list of members of the NEPMCC, qualifying to receive Government advertising on a regular basis. He told the Council that he spoke with Jerry Phillips of the Ontario Government and discussed ways to increase the budget for the ethnic media .He said a committee could be formed at a later date to carry on this dialogue. The President mentioned that he received a phone call from the secretary of the NDP leader Jack Layton to finalize the date of the roundtable meeting. The president was informed that the meeting would take place on June 27 at the East York Community Centre at 6:30 in the evening. Thomas Saras informed the council that the members of the NEPMCC received an invitation from MPP Tony Ruperecht on June 15 at 5:45p.m.at Queens Park, room #228 and 230, where he will be launching his new book titled “Many faces of Toronto” He said shortly after this event, the members would have to move to the restaurant of Queens Park, at 6:30 p.m., where the Premiere would be holding a wine and cheese reception and addressing the members of the NEPMCC on the progress made by the Ontario Government. Thomas Saras told the council that he had submitted a request to Lt. Governor to host the event recognizing this year's award winners selected by the panel of NEPMCC members. He then read out a letter from the Office of the Lt. Governor, which acknowledged the request made by Thomas Saras and informed him that the office of Lt. Governor is looking into the schedule of the Lt. Governor to accommodate that request. Thomas Saras hoped that this letter was just a routine procedure and that Lt. Governor would accommodate his request. Thomas Saras suggested that date of submitting nominations of this year's award winners be extended until the end of June.   Discussions/ New Business The Chair asked the President to give his views on the proposed "conflict resolution committee" The President suggested that this committee should have not more than three members, who would represent the Council when issues relating to Government advertising in print and electronic media coming up. The Following names were unanimously appointed to form the“conflict resolution committee” Clyde McNeil Sybille Forster-Rentmeister Maxwell Wynter Masood Mansoorzadeh, The chair Clyde McNeil suggested that the NEPMCC should find a way to lobby with the planning agencies of different government departments that are responsible for Government advertising in media The chair tabled the motion on the floor to extend the deadline of nominations of individuals who are going to be recognized this year by the council till June 30, 2005. Masood Mansoorzadeh moved the motion to this effect and Jai Ojah Maharaj seconded it. It was carried by all. There were numerous discussions on the President's Barbecue.Thomas Saras mentioned two possible venues in Bolton which could be ideal for hosting the "President's Barbecue" He suggested that this event could serve as a fundraising event for the council where members could donate a small amount towards the organization. He recommended that this event should take place on a Sunday afternoon, so that most of the members can participate in it. Sybille Forster-Rentmeister suggested that members could approach corporate houses for sponsoring this event in exchange of advertising in the annual book. Thomas Saras said he would travel with one of the members either Cindy Gu or Sybille –Forster-Rentmeister one of the days to fix the venue for the summer barbecue. The President asked members to get advertising for the annual book from their respective communities. He said this would help to cover the expenditure to some extent of any future event that the council organizes. Sybille Forster-Reintmeister suggested the name of young Canadian Actor Tony Hynes to be a guest speaker in one of the monthly meetings. She said he is running a program, which promotes universal human rights supported by the UN. She mentioned he is interested in getting high school students involved in promoting human rights. Ahmed Mohammed told the Council that he was facing a defamation lawsuit filed by one of the readers of his publication. He inquired whether the Council has any mechanism that provides legal help to one of its members when sued by any individual. There were numerous discussions on this issue. Jai Maharaj suggested of organizing a legal clinic/workshop so that any member can get the desired information and knowledge in terms of dealing with lawsuits. Majid Mir Zohari informed the council of an Iranian Journalist Akbar Ganji, who is the longest-serving political prisoner in the Iranian journalistic community. He was jailed and convicted for expressing his opinion in defense of freedom and the professional rights of journalists in Iran. He inquired in what ways the NEPMC supports the causes of journalists being held prisoners in their respective native counties. Thomas Saras said the organization has always supported the cause of journalists and will continue to support the cause of any journalist who is unduly held prisoner. He said in the past the organization has always protested and drafted statements when any journalist was tortured or jailed in any part of the world. He also said any matter relating to public policy should be directed through Maxwell Wynter, Senior VP of Public Policy. The President informed the members that the Council would be sharing its space at the "Word on the Street Festival" with the organization called "Canadian journalists for freedom of expression".  Cindy Gu informed the Council that Epoch Times in collaboration with the Australia Chinese Cultural and Art Association is organizing an exhibition show of the "Art of the Chinese Grand Masters" in Metro Toronto Convention Centre from June16-19, 2005. She said any members who wish to attend the show could collect the entry pass from her. Danielle Zhu reminded the Council about the motion moved in April regarding the support from NEPMCC on NTDTV's application for CRTC license. She circulated a letter of support drafted by NTDTV and urged the members to sign it at the end of the meeting. Teshome WalderEmmanuel brought up a matter affecting the Ethiopian Community in Canada and asked the Council for support in the issue. The Chair, Clyde McNeil informed the Council that the Toronto Police chief Bill Blair would be present for the next monthly meeting in July 11, 2005.   New Members The chair Clyde McNeil welcomed Sunny Sang a volunteer representing the "Manitoba Chinese Tribune" to the Council. Sunny Sang said she was pleased to be in the meeting and showed great interest in future participation.   End of meeting: Masood Mansoorzadeh moved a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Jai Maharaj and carried by all. The chair, Clyde McNeil adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. The next meeting would take place on July11, 2005 at Queens Park.   The text of the minutes prepared by the Recording Secretary of the NEPMCC Neel Nanda.