NATIONAL ETHNIC PRESS AND MEDIA COUNCIL OF CANADA Conseil national de la presse et des medias ethniques du Canada. Canada's Other Voices
Minutes of Meeting held on 12 Feb. 2007 at 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Committee Room# 2 at Queen's Park, Toronto
The meeting of NEPMCC was called to order by the Chairman at 6.15 p.m. The following members were present: Thomas S. Saras Bikram Lamba Dr. Irene Keroglidis Katargun Pupier Amir Mahim Taha Hassianiani Kaavesh Shoamanesh Trifon Haitas Dumitru Popescu Iraj Emad Sima Zerehi Hassan Zerehi Hasan Yilmaz Jan Jekielek Mohammad Tajdolati, Dr. Ned Blair Teshome Woldeamannuel Maryam Eghvami, Karasavaham, Suku Baladubramaniam, Alamgir Hussein, Tania Nuttall, Clyde McNeil, Aris Babikian Ashad Shah Hotaki John Saras Hermie Garcia Mila Astoria-Carcia Arnold Auguste, Share, Hon. Chair Shabnam Janaini.
Absentees Massood Mashadi Mona feng Neel Nanda
The Chairman welcomed Mr. John Cartwright president Labour Council of Toronto & York Region and Minerva Hui, and invited them to make their presentation. They made a presentation of private member bill relating to increase the minimum wages at $10/hr. The Bill has gone past the second hearing – a record for a private member's bill. They intimated that in Ontario 190,000 people are living below the poverty line, as the present minimum wage are fixed at below the acceptable living line. They also intimated that had Mike Harris government not decided to freeze the wages, the present wages, considering the inflation would have been $10/hr. A number of questions were asked by the members, and Mr. Saras concluded by thanking the guests and also assured that a unified editorial shall be made available to all members for supporting the bill.
There after the minutes of the last meeting were approved by the members. The proposals to approve the minutes was made by Dr. Lamba and seconded by Iraj Emad.
The next item on the agenda was the President's report, which Mr. Saras duly presented. He intimated that annual get together was a great success, with 230 persons attending it. He also intimated that they had negotiated for the catering at only $1800 – a very low amount, while wine, fish, flowers, tickets etc. were donated by him, his brother, and Irene Keroglidis and also by "Anoixis Flowers". However, the members in attendance agreed to make a cheque for $1900.00 in order to express our appreciation to the caterer.
Thereafter, he referred to call from the Office of Stephane Dion. They desired a meeting with council members on 19 Feb. at 11 a.m. The time was not appropriate, and still the email was sent that this was the time allotted. The email was read and was found to be in not appropriate. The President again asked for directions.
Then he intimated that the Word on Street this year shall be held on 30 Sept., but the rental has increased to $225.00. He asked the members of the board about participation of the Council to this annual event.
Thereafter he intimated that father of Sharifa Khan had expired, but her office is continuing the discussions with heritage Canada for funding the training programmes that are likely to held in May or June of 2007.
Thereafter he referred to talks with PMO, and intimated that PM shall meet the members at an appropriate time. He also told that the PM had informed him that the Minister was looking into the matter regarding the release of Press advertisements to the ethnic media, by the department of PW Canada. Finally he submitted the details of bank account to the council. The bank statement reveled that while last year the council started with $ 11,000.00, this year the opening balance was $ 15,000.00.
After the report, the Chairman threw the house open for discussion. Dr. Lamba initiated the discussion, by thanking the president for his report and proposed that he be authorized to deal with Dion issue as he deems fit, that he pay for the word on street , that he also may pay $ 1900 to the caterer. Irene, Maryam, Iraj, Alamgir and all others supported the proposal and it was unanimously agreed to authorize the President on these lines
Thereafter Alamgir Hasan gave an account of the annual event and thanked all for their support. He had to leave as he was celebrating his wading anniversary. The Chair on behalf of the Council wished him well.
Dr. Lamba, thereafter, informed the Council that the last date for submitting the nominations is Feb.15, as already intimated by the President. He suggested that in the interest of continuity of policy and action; and because the Present team headed by the President is the midst of major issues, there should be no change. However, any body desirous of serving on Board, or desiring to nominate anybody must do so in writing before the deadline. He gave his email id –
He also indicated that the candidates must have cleared all dues. He also reminded the council members that the submission of writings for the book must be made before 31st March.
The members sought some clarifications about the number of seats and all these clarifications were made and the members informed that all information is on website. There being no other business, bro. Emad Iraj proposed that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Irene keroglidis, and unanimously accepted.
The minutes for the meeting of February 12, 2007 prepared by Dr. Lamba, as the recording secretary was absent.
