The Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto once again became a meeting place for culture, heritage, and public life as the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada inaugurated its pavilion on August 16, 2025. The event marked the thirty-eighth consecutive year that the organization has participated in the country’s largest annual fair, demonstrating the council’s consistent commitment to representing Canada’s multicultural identity through the work of ethnic media.

The pavilion, located in the International Building directly in front of the International Stage, presented an impressive display of ethnic newspapers from across Canada. Visitors were invited to browse and take copies of publications in more than 120 languages, representing immigrant and cultural communities from coast to coast. The collection served not only as an archive of community voices but also as a living testimony to the linguistic and cultural mosaic of the country. The guest book invited attendees to sign and connect with the work of the council, which has operated for decades as an umbrella organization supporting ethnic journalists and publishers.

The formal opening began with the ribbon-cutting ceremony. President and founder Thomas Saras stood alongside current and former politicians from Ontario, representatives of the Canadian National Exhibition, and dignitaries from various sectors. The symbolic act underscored the long-standing role of the NEPMCC as a unifying platform that amplifies voices from communities often overlooked in mainstream discourse.

Tony Ruprecht, serving as master of ceremonies and drawing on his long experience as Ontario’s former Minister of Multiculturalism, emphasized that the council has consistently stood for Canadian unity, recalling its role during politically tense moments in the 1980s and 1990s when questions of national cohesion were at stake. He reminded the audience that Canada came within less than two percentage points of breaking apart during the 1995 Quebec referendum, and praised the NEPMCC for working to keep the country strong. “We want to make sure that Canada stays united,” Ruprecht said, “so that we can have the strong force we need to ensure that Canada is independent and sovereign.” His words drew applause from dignitaries and members of the ethnic press alike.

The official presentation on the International Stage drew a large audience. Among the first speakers was Aris Babikian, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough–Agincourt, who conveyed messages of support from Premier Doug Ford and the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Graham MacGregor. Premier Ford’s message praised the council for its work in fostering socio-economic growth and enriching Ontario’s diverse communities, noting that organizations like NEPMCC help newcomers thrive and feel at home. MacGregor added that ethnic journalists ensure that all voices, experiences, and stories are shared and reflected in public life, while thanking the council for its leadership and dedication.

Sheref Sabawy, MPP for Mississauga–Erin Mills, also spoke, emphasizing that ethnic media are often the primary sources of news and information for immigrant communities. He stated that in his constituency more than half of the residents were born outside of Canada, and many follow ethnic newspapers rather than mainstream outlets. He praised Saras and his team for giving voice to immigrants and minorities, and presented a token of appreciation on behalf of the provincial government. City Councillor Brad Bradford of Toronto–East York recalled his own memories of visiting the Canadian National Exhibition as a child and connected them to the importance of institutions such as NEPMCC in today’s multicultural Toronto. He recognized that with 51 percent of the city’s population born outside of Canada, organizations that preserve cultural ties through media are indispensable. Councillor Nick Mantas echoed those remarks while also calling for increased funding for ethnic media not only at the federal and provincial level but also municipally, stressing that ethnic journalism is underfunded despite its vital role.

The council also received formal recognition from the Canadian National Exhibition itself. Helen Wyszynski, vice president of the CNE board of directors, presented Saras with a commemorative medallion marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Friends of the CNE. She thanked the council for its continued contribution and participation in the fair, noting that the pavilion has become a fixture in the International Building over the decades.

Former federal cabinet minister Joe Volpe addressed the gathering and underlined the importance of ethnic media in telling the Canadian story. With his characteristic humor, he reminded the audience that Canada’s diversity is not theoretical but visible in every community. He noted that in cities such as Mississauga, where more than half of the residents were born abroad, ethnic media are indispensable in informing citizens and maintaining cultural continuity. Volpe praised Saras for his leadership and insisted that governments at all levels recognize that ethnic press is part of Canada’s mainstream media, not separate from it.

At the pavilion itself, the atmosphere was lively and engaging. Families stopped to collect newspapers in their own languages, students leafed through unfamiliar publications, and community members reconnected with familiar titles. Rows of newspapers represented virtually every continent, and for many visitors the sight of publications in their mother tongue was a reminder of cultural roots and belonging. Thomas Saras and his daughter Maria, who serves as executive director of the council, personally welcomed guests and explained the importance of sustaining ethnic media for future generations. Maria was repeatedly acknowledged during the ceremonies as a driving force of the organization, ensuring continuity and expanding the council’s outreach.

The Canadian National Exhibition, founded in 1879, is the largest fair in Canada and one of the largest in North America, attracting nearly one and a half million visitors each year. Its International Pavilion has long been a showcase for cultural diversity through music, dance, food, and craft. Within this environment, the presence of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council is particularly symbolic, placing the printed voices of immigrant communities at the center of Canada’s national fair.
As the fair continues through its two-week run, the pavilion of the NEPMCC remains open to the public, inviting thousands of visitors to encounter the multilingual press of Canada. The recurring challenge, emphasized by several speakers, remains sustainability. Ethnic media outlets often operate with limited resources, facing financial and technological barriers, yet their role is essential for democracy and cultural identity. Calls for greater financial support, combined with the recognition expressed during the opening, reflected a broad consensus that the future of ethnic media must be safeguarded.

Closing the presentation, Saras thanked the community, political representatives, and volunteers who made the event possible. “We are here to keep Canada united, to ensure all voices are heard, and to tell the Canadian story in every language,” he said. His words encapsulated the mission of an organization that, after thirty-eight years at the CNE, continues to demonstrate the vitality of ethnic journalism and its central place in Canadian public life.