Canadian Voices at the CNE
On August 23, the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) officially opened its booth at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto. Our publication, Meridian — Nasha Ottawa, was among the media outlets represented at the exhibition. This is an especially meaningful event for us: our publishing house has been a member of the Council since 2017 and has participated in the collective work of Canada’s ethnocultural media community for nearly a decade.
The NEPMCC is a national non-profit organization whose history dates back to 1990. Its objectives include bringing together ethnic press and electronic media, promoting professional excellence in journalism, protecting the interests of independent publications, and encouraging the full participation of ethnocultural communities in Canadian society. According to the Council, it represents more than 500 media outlets operating in over 120 languages. Learn more about the NEPMCC
Today, this kind of solidarity is especially important. Small newspapers and magazines, online publications, internet radio stations, and television channels have limited resources when operating independently. By joining forces, they form a significant segment of the Canadian media market, share experience, and protect their audiences’ right to receive news in their native languages. This is particularly important now, as Canada resists political and economic pressure from the United States, while American digital giants Google and Meta continue to exert enormous influence over the distribution of information. In 2022, the two largest platforms received approximately 80% of all online advertising revenue in Canada.
The CNE is Canada’s largest annual community event and one of North America’s leading agricultural fairs. Its history dates back to 1879, when it was known as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition. In 2026, the CNE runs from August 21 to September 7 and is expected to welcome more than 1.4 million visitors.
The NEPMCC’s presence at the exhibition demonstrates to the public that Canadian media communicate in dozens of languages and reflect the lives of numerous communities. The booth provides an opportunity for visitors to discover independent publications, for journalists to connect, and for new partnerships to emerge. The participation of Nasha Ottawa confirms that the capital’s Russian-speaking community is an active part of Canada’s multilingual media landscape.
Author: Yuri Natchetoi