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Canada’s top immigrants feted
Hip-hop artist K’naan, Member of Parliament Olivia Chow, Olympic wrestling legend Daniel Igali and many other community leaders from across Canada are among the winners of the fourth annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrants awards presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine and sponsored by RBC.
This national people’s choice award celebrates the untold and inspiring stories and achievements of newcomers to Canada.
More than 28,000 Canadians voted online for their top choices, the largest number since the awards program began in 2009. The award recipients were honoured at ceremonies in Toronto on May 29 and in Vancouver on June 5.
“Even though this is our fourth annual awards, there is no shortage of immigrants deserving to be recognized for their contribution to Canada,” said Margaret Jetelina, editor, Canadian Immigrant magazine. “The calibre of our 25 winners — indeed of all the 75 shortlisted candidates — attests to that.
From professional athletes, artists and politicians to entrepreneurs, philanthropists and community activists, the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2012 are inspiring role models not only for all immigrants, but also for everyone born in Canada.”
The Top 25 winners will receive a commemorative certificate and a $500 donation towards a registered Canadian charity of their choice. Winners will be featured on
canadianimmigrant.ca.
“On behalf of RBC, I want to congratulate and recognize this year’s winners for their contribution to Canada’s prosperity,” said Paul Sy, director, Multicultural Markets, RBC. “Newcomers bring their unique skills and talents, which benefit us all and enrich Canada’s productivity and diversity.”
More than 550 nominations were received over a two-month period from which 75 finalists were shortlisted by a panel of judges comprised of past winners. The awards program is also supported by the Toronto Star, Metro, Suhaag and Sing Tao.
The Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2012 are (in alphabetical order):
• Francis Atta (Toronto, ON/Ghana) is founder of K.E.Y.S., a motivational speaking company through which he encourages people to return to school or look for a more satisfying job.
• Kehar Singh Aujla (Burnaby, BC/India) is an avid volunteer with nine organizations, including Volunteer Grandparents.
• Iman Biock Aghay (Port Coquitlam, BC/Iran) is a recent immigrant who has an Internet consulting firm, Success Road Enterprises, and founded a Vancouver networking group.
• Juan Carranza (Toronto, ON/El Salvador) is the first lawyer from Central American to be called to the Law Society of Upper Canada.
• Olivia Chow (Toronto, ON/Hong Kong) is Member of Parliament for the federal riding of Trinity-Spadina, and wife of the late NDP leader Jack Layton.
• Isabel Cisterna (Waterloo, ON/Chile) is the owner of Neruda Productions, which provides space for new immigrant aspiring artists to showcase their talents.
• Narima Dela Cruz (Surrey, BC/Philippines) is a realtor and community activist.
• Meleni David (Toronto, ON/Sri Lanka) is an entrepreneur and lawyer.
• Jagjit Singh Hans (Tiger Jeet Singh) – (Milton, ON/India) is a former professional wrestler and philanthropist.
• Daniel Igali (Surrey, BC/Nigeria) is an Olympic wrestling legend who founded a school in Nigeria.
• Commodore Hans Jung (Ottawa, ON/Korea) is Surgeon General of the Canadian Forces and spearheaded the establishment of physician assistants in Canada.
• Suresh Kurl (Richmond, BC/India) is a former University of British Columbia professor, social worker and member of the National Parole Board, who regularly volunteers in his community.
• Peter Legge (Coquitlam, BC/UK) is chairman and CEO of Canada Wide Media, a motivational speaker, author, philanthropist and face of the Variety Club Telethon.
• Tonny Louie (Toronto, ON/Hong Kong) is chair of Toronto Chinatown Business Improvement Area board. He also started the Toronto China Street Festival.
• Ahmed Mustaq (Toronto, ON/Bangladesh) is a financial executive who wrote a guide for newcomers.
• Dr. Rey Pagtakhan (Winnipeg, MB/Philippines) is a physician, professor and politician.
• Dr. Vivian Rambihar (Toronto, ON/Guyana) is an internationally respected cardiologist and a pioneer in studying ethnicity-related heart disease.
• Zubeida Ramji (Toronto, ON/Tanzania) is the founder of CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses.
• Satish Thakkar (Brampton, ON/India) is president of Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
• Bing Thom (Vancouver, BC/Hong Kong) is an internationally renowned architect.
• Ai Thien Tran (Gatineau, QC/Vietnam) is a social worker and executive of the Vietnamese Canadian Federation.
• Madhu Verma (Fredericton, NB/India) is a multicultural community leader.
• Keinan ''K'naan'' Abdi Warsame (Toronto, ON/Somalia) is the popular hip-hop artist of “Wavin’ Flag” fame.
• Tonya-Lee Williams (Toronto, ON and Los Angeles, USA/UK) is an Emmy-nominated actor known for her role on the Young and the Restless, and is founder of the Reel World Film Festival.
• Nancy Zein (Edmonton, AB/Jordan) is executive director of the Canada Arab Friendship Association.
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