Canadians choose Top 25 Canadian Immigrants

First national award for immigrants results in more than 10,000 votes

May 25, 2009 (Toronto, ON) – A human rights defender, a filmmaker and a scientist are among the winners of the first-ever Top 25 Canadian Immigrants awards. The national awards program, which is being presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine and sponsored by RBC, seeks to uncover and celebrate the untold stories and remarkable achievements of outstanding Canadian immigrants and inspire others.

The winners were selected by more than 10,000 Canadians who voted online for their favourites. Winners will be honoured this week in Vancouver (May 25) or Toronto (May 28) at ceremonies hosted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

“It is exciting to celebrate the contributions that immigrants make to the social, economic, and political fabric of our country,” said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, who will attend the Toronto ceremonies on Thursday. “As Canadians, we have found great success in the coming together of diverse cultures. Celebrations like this remind us how very fortunate we are to live in a country that embraces the many traditions of the world."

“Canada is a nation built by immigrants and we need to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments while providing positive role models for newcomers at the same time,” added Nick Noorani, founder and publisher of Canadian Immigrant magazine. “It is exciting to see such a distinguished group, selected by the public, come together in an atmosphere of celebration, to share and acknowledge each other’s personal and professional accomplishments with the nation.”

The awards program launched in November 2008 with a nation-wide call-for-nominations, garnered hundreds of submissions over a two-month period, from which 75 semi-finalists were shortlisted by a panel of Canadian Immigrant judges. Voting was then opened online at canadianimmigrant.ca for the public to select their favourites among the 75 semi-finalists. From February to April, 2009, more than 10,000 Canadians voted for the Top 25 winners.

“RBC has been looking after the needs of new immigrants to Canada for over seven generations,” said Andrea Metrick, head, Client Strategy and Multicultural Markets, at RBC. “On behalf of all RBC employees, we want to extend our warm congratulations to each of the winners and our appreciation to all nominees and voters who participated in this inaugural year.”

Winners are featured on canadianimmigrant.ca and in the June edition of Canadian Immigrant magazine. Winners receive a commemorative certificate and lapel pin as well as a $250 donation toward an authorized Canadian charity of their choice.

For more information contact:

Canadian Immigrant:
Nick Noorani, 778 233 0102
nick@canadianimmigrant.ca

About the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Awards
Canadian Immigrant Magazine, a print and online magazine serving immigrants to Canada, in association with RBC, present the “Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2009” — a people’s choice award that seeks to uncover and celebrate the untold stories and remarkable achievements of outstanding Canadian immigrants from all walks of life. To view this year’s winners, visit www.canadianimmigrant.ca/top25

Synopsis of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2009:

Girish Agrawal of Calgary, AB, is an award winning financial adviser and community leader.

Birinder Singh Ahluwalia of Toronto, ON, is the president of BSA Diagnostic Ltd., one of the largest radiological diagnostic centres of its kind in Canada. He's a philanthropist who freely supports community projects as well as cultural and educational causes.

Naseer Ahmad of Vaughan, ON, oversaw the construction of Canada’s first Islamic residential subdivision with homes surrounding a mosque in the centre.

Francis Amara of Winnipeg, MB, is an associate professor of biochemistry and medical genetics. This Sierra Leone native co-founded Sierra Leone Refugee Inc., and founded the Head Start Aboriginal Biomedical Youth Program.

James Atebe of Mission, BC, is British Columbia’s first African Canadian mayor. The Kenya native’s platform is to grow the City of Mission and encourage a community where people can live, work and play.

Elaine Chan of Calgary, AB, is the founder of the Chinese Academy accredited to the Alberta Education, offering Cantonese and Mandarin classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 levels, along with a Chinese as a Second Language program.

Chia-yi Chua of Toronto, ON, is a partner in national law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain's Tax Law Group in Toronto. He has contributed to several professional and community initiatives, including serving on his law firm’s diversity committee and mentoring young lawyers.

Adrienne Clarkson of Ottawa, ON, came to Canada as a child refugee with her family. She was appointed governor-general — the first modern-day immigrant, second female and first nonwhite person to become governor general of Canada. She now serves her country as co-chair of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

Baltej Singh Dhillon of Surrey, BC, is the RCMP sergeant best known for being the first RCMP officer to be allowed to wear a turban. He's currently a member of the guild of speakers with Passages to Canada and director of 3HO Organization in Vancouver.

Narinder Dhir of Burnaby, BC, is a retired businessman and former governor in counsel on the Multicultural Advisory Council that formed the multicultural policy for British Columbia. He also helped found the first Hindu temple in B.C.

Ujjal Dosanjh of Vancouver, BC, is currently a member of Parliament and community activist. He is a former attorney general and premier of British Columbia, and a former federal minister of health.

Mario Guilombo of Toronto, ON, came to Canada from Colombia and founded both Casa de las Americas and Collective Human Rights Defender to help fight human rights abuse.

John Halani of Vancouver, BC, from Uganda founded the Ethno Business Council and owns two hotels often used as temporary accommodations for newcomers landing in Vancouver. The philanthropist is also consul general for Uganda.

Michaëlle Jean of Ottawa, ON, immigrated to Canada from Haiti. Before becoming Canada’s 27th Governor General, she worked in a shelter for battered women and as a journalist and anchor at Radio-Canada and CBC Newsworld.

Deepa Mehta of Toronto, ON, an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, was nominated for an Oscar in best foreign language film category, making it Canada's first non-French-language film to be selected.

Rossbina Nathoo of Calgary, AB, from Uganda volunteers with many community organizations and founded F.O.C.U.S. on Seniors (Friendship, Opportunities, Community Involvement, Unity and Synergy).

Body Ngoy of Ottawa, ON, is a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He founded a co-op named Cooperative Franco-Presence: its mission is to create real intercultural bridges between people and communities in Eastern Ontario.

Martha Lucia Nino of Milton, ON, a former lawyer from Colombia, created Abanico Magazine, which is aimed at the Canadian Hispanic community.

Lorelei and Rosalind Silverman of Toronto, ON, from Romania are sisters and scientists who have made many contributions to their Toronto community through their work in neuroscience and cell biology.

Dr. Colin Saldanha of Mississauga, ON, is a medical doctor who presently works at the Peel Travel Clinic, which provides medical advice to travelers. He's also worked as an immigration medical officer, an aviation medical examiner with the Ministry of Transportation and a designated physician for the RCMP.

Terry Sawh of Toronto, ON, is the founder and president of Topnotch Employment Services Inc., and champions the cause of supplier diversity among organizations.

Hari Varshney of Vancouver, BC, is a venture capitalist and heads his own family-owned Varshney Capital Corporation. As a philanthropist, he has donated $1 million to his alma mater, University of British Columbia.

Marcello Veiga of Vancouver, BC, is a UBC professor originally from Brazil who works actively in the continuing education of artisanal gold miners to promote safer methods to increase production, reduce water pollution and mercury intoxication of gold miners and their families — a problem that affects 100 million people.

Anupama Vittal of Mississauga, ON, is the president of the Mississauga Art Society and also the CEO and founder of the Bean Bag Factory Inc. and Artescape Anua.

Wendy Yuan of Vancouver, BC, is President and CEO of Bradley Pacific Enterprises and also a former candidate with the Liberal Party of Canada in British Columbia. She was appointed as Leader's Representative to the Liberal Party of Canada (B.C.) by then Prime Minister Paul Martin.

About Canadian Immigrant and canadianimmigrant.ca

Attracting over 275,000 readers each month, Canadian Immigrant helps new Canadians build a successful life and home during their first years in Canada. Its mandate to inform, educate and motivate provides hands-on, easy-to-access content for newcomers looking for information — from careers, education and settling in to culture, money and business. The monthly print publication is distributed in Toronto and Vancouver.

canadianimmigrant.ca reaches immigrants nationwide, offering tools and resources that help newcomers settle into their new communities — connecting immigrants with each other as well as with immigrant experts and prospective employers. Along with exclusive online stories and special series, canadianimmigrant.ca offers free access to interactive job, school and home finders plus immigrant experts at Ask the Expert, where immigrants can send in their pressing questions on various topics relevant to newcomers.

About RBC

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