10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians 2009

HISPANICS: THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND CANADA’S CREATIVE CLASS

The Hispanic Business Association (HBA) has announced 2009’s 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians. The awards, sponsored by Scotiabank, were presented at an event held Friday night that was attended by the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Minister for the Americas. In recognition of all the nominees’ achievements, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a meeting with awards winners next spring in Ottawa.

“The Latin American community is one of the fastest growing cultural groups in Canada,” said Fabiola Sicard, Senior Manager, Hispanic Market, Multicultural Banking, Scotiabank. “At Scotiabank, we recognize the importance of supporting the communities where our customers live and work and we congratulate all of the winners and nominees for serving as exemplary role models for Hispanic Canadians today and for future generations.”

This year’s winners were chosen from 34 nominations coming from seven different provinces representing ten countries of origin. The winners were selected by a panel of judges comprised of past winners, executives from The Canadian Foundation for the Americas, Canadian Hispanic Congress and the Hispanic Press Association of Canada, as well as journalists from the Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Canadian Business, and CBC. Media sponsors included Mercado News, Correo Canadiense, El Popular, La Guia de Toronto, Abanico, Latin Life, Latidos, TorontoHispano.com, Una-C Canada, RevistaDebate.ca, Nuevo Mundo TV and TLN Television.

“Congratulation to all nominees and winners. They help us prove that Hispanics are a driving force behind Canada’s Creative Class and continue to make tremendous contributions to our new country. It is fitting to launch the HBA at this important event. 10,000 HBA directories containing the latest statistics about Hispanics in Canada will be available in both the GTA and Ottawa”, said ceremony organizer, Mauricio Ospina.

THE 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL HISPANIC CANADIANS 2009 ARE:

· Alberto Elmir (Ecuador): Media pioneer, founder of Ondas Hispanas

· Carlos Morillo (Colombia): Cardiology researcher and professor, McMaster University

· Eduardo Canel (Uruguay): Political science researcher and professor, York University

· Enrique Fernandez (Spain): Author and professor, University of Manitoba

· Hilario Duran (Cuba): Jazz prodigy, multiple-award-winning pianist and composer

· Ivar Mendez (Bolivia): Neurosurgery researcher, Dalhousie University

· Julio Torres-Recinos (El Salvador): Poet and professor, University of Saskatchewan

· Luis Carrillos (El Salvador): Community worker, Hispanic Development Council

· Marlinda Freire (Chile): Psychiatrist and professor, University of Toronto

· Sonia Rodriguez (Spain): Principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada