Canada Votes: The Multicultural Debate

Sunday, November 19, 8:00 p.m. EST

Toronto, November 9, 2000 - On Sunday, November 19, at 8:00 p.m. (EST), the Canadian Ethnocultural Council and CFMT International will co-present Canada Votes: The Multicultural Debate. This special one hour joint production will be aired commercial free by CFMT-TV, and feature a panel of federal party representatives in interactive discussion with a multicultural studio audience. Representatives from prominent multicultural organizations across the country will also have the opportunity to question the panel.

CFMT-TV viewers in the Greater Toronto Area will be able to view this programme on Cable 4, Channel 47. In the National Capital region, CFMT-TV is seen on Cable 14, Channel 60. Viewers in other areas are advised to check local listings. People outside the viewing area can view the programme in its entirety via the Internet.

A streaming video file of the programme will be accessible thorough the Canadian Ethnocultural Council website (www.ethnocultural.ca) from November 19 through to Election Day, Monday, November 27. If you would like to discuss or ask questions on the issue of multiculturalism you can go to www.ethnocultural.ca/election2000, the discussion area set up specifically for this federal election. You can also view the platforms of the federal parties at this site.

CFMT International is Canada's first multilingual/multicultural television system and the first such broadcaster to be named Television Station of the Year by the Ontario Association of Broadcasters. As a leading provider of ethnocultural programming, CFMT-TV broadcasts 60% of its programming in no less than 15 languages to communities encompassing more than 18 cultures.

The Canadian Ethnocultural Council is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 30 national organizations working to achieve equal opportunity, rights and dignity for all Canadians within the spirit of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. The CEC has organized similar events during previous elections.

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For further information please contact:

Anna Chiappa - Executive Director, CEC- (613) 230-3867