On December 12, the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) held its 2025 Christmas Reception and Annual Awards Ceremony at the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto.
The event brought together representatives from federal, provincial, and municipal governments, members of the diplomatic corps, media leaders, and nearly 300 journalists, award recipients, and guests. The evening featured lively exchanges and reflected the vitality and cohesion of Canada’s ethnic media sector.
As one of NEPMCC’s flagship annual events, the Christmas reception serves not only as a major networking occasion for the media community, but also as a formal ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions in journalism and public service. NEPMCC is dedicated to seeking and reporting truth, defending freedom of expression and equal rights under the law, valuing the diversity of human experience, amplifying underrepresented voices, and contributing to civic dialogue in the public interest. Today, nearly 800 non-English-language media outlets operate across Canada, producing journalism in more than 100 languages and playing a vital role in multicultural engagement and community development.
NEPMCC President Thomas Sara delivered welcoming remarks, thanking media partners, community leaders, and sponsors for their continued support. He reflected on the Council’s achievements in 2025 and extended holiday greetings and best wishes for the coming year.
Government officials from all three levels and representatives of multiple foreign consulates attended the ceremony. This year, NEPMCC presented 15 group and individual awards recognizing excellence in community service, journalism, and cultural and educational contributions. Award recipients were commended for their professionalism and impact within Canada’s ethnic media landscape.
Among the honourees, Peng Lin, a reporter with Jiahua Media, received the Culture and Journalism Award. The evening concluded in a warm and festive atmosphere, as guests exchanged New Year greetings and looked ahead to continued collaboration and growth in 2026.
