During the 12th graduation ceremony of the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy, Greek Embassador of Canada Eleftherios Angelopoulos announced that the Hellenic NARIC recognized the degree of the Toronto Theological Academy. The Greek Ambassador himself has strongly fought towards this direction.

Metropolitan Bishop of Canada Sotirios said that after 12 years, the degree of Toronto Theological Academy is recognized in Greece and so graduates have the opportunity to join a Master’s program in the Theological Departments of Greek Universities.

The main speaker of the ceremony was the Greek Ambassador, while Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford and Senator Panagiota Pappas-Merchant, as well as Greek Consul General of Toronto Dimitris Azemopoulos and Federal MP Jim Karygiannis also delivered speeches. Another federal MP, Menegakis Costas, read the message of Canadian PM Stephen Harper, who congratulated the graduates on their success.

After this positive turn of events, it is expected that in the new academic year, the students of the Canadian institution will be more than ever before.

Jim Flaherty

A “disorderly” restructuring of the euro zone could unfold should Greek voters reject the austerity measures their government agreed to in return for financial aid, Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Monday.

In a series of interviews with Canadian broadcasters in the late afternoon, Flaherty said there are also “serious” problems in Spain, with the government in Madrid being forced to nationalize one of its big lenders; and underlying structural challenges in Italy. “And it is not clear that the governments in those countries are going to be able to manage what needs to be done given the unwillingness of many voters to go along with” the economic reform required, Flaherty said.

“The whole future of the euro zone is up for grabs,” he said, noting Europe was mired in a recession.

Still, Flaherty added that an exit by Greece from the euro zone–a topic top European policymakers are starting to broach–would represent a “relatively minor” risk to Canada.

Separately, he said Canada’s relatively strong currency reflects the country’s solid economic and fiscal fundamentals, “which are among the best in the world.”

(source: Dow Jones)

The new property tax introduced in 2011, as imposed by the EU/ECB/IMF austerity package, was a severe financial burden on the backs of all Greeks owning even the smallest to the biggest of properties.

The once strong bond between a Greek owner and their property back home is taking some really strong blows. Besides the unpopular taxes, the political instability and the Euro crisis, there are more barriers Greeks abroad must overcome to maintain their properties in Greece, such as the law allowing trespassers to claim property after a certain period of time. This is not only a legal but a personal issue as well, since most trespassers are friends or relatives who take advantage of the absent rightful owners.

As highlighted by the report, it is rather hard for people to let go of their land in Greece. Owning a piece of land back home holds a symbolic meaning to most Greeks living abroad as the link between them and their homeland, their culture and origins.

The Greek crisis has also affected Greek-Canadian businesses. Strikes, cuts in wages and social turmoil are leading many entrepreneurs to abandon their commercial activities in the home country, although that might mean more taxes and bureaucracy.

Greek Ambassador of Canada Eleftherios Aggelopoulos was present at the presentation of the 2011 Greek wines. “The participation of 45 wine-producers in the event shows the importance of Greek wine to the Canadian market, and also the wide range of Greek wine varieties,” commented the Greek Ambassador.

He also said that Greek wines had an export increase in Quebec by 30% during the past year. “By promoting them, we hope that Greek wines will become more successful and famous in the entire Canadian market.”

Taking into account that even the New York Times published an article about Greek red wines, we realize that Greece has just recently realized the quality of its products and the financial benefits it could have by their export.

The wine-presentation was also attended by the Consul General of Greece in Montreal Thanos Kafopoulos and the Counselor of Financial and Commercial Affairs Peli Sousiopoulou. The general manager of the event was George Athanas from All About Greek Wines.

Today’s Canadian headlines stress the fact that the rescue package provided by the IMF is now at risk. They also refer to the probability that the elections’ result may cause political and financial chaos in Greece.

Globe and Mail writes that the Memorandum-friendly parties were punished by Greek voters for the endless austerity measures and the economic downturn.

“The elections’ result pose the question whether Greece will be able to escape from the political and financial chaos or not,” states the Canadian journalist, “since the country tries to cope with the austerity measures and the financial reforms, which made unemployment rise.”

SYRIZA, the country’s second party, opposes the Memorandum. “SYRIZA called the second Memorandum ‘cruel’ and wants Greece to remain in the Eurozone and go bankrupt, without negotiating with the IMF, a scenario probably impossible,” continues the Canadian author of the article.

The same journalist stresses the fact that other anti-Memorandum parties received many votes in the May 6 elections, such as the Independent Greeks and the Communists party KKE.

According to the article, the trade balance between Canada and Greece is negative, since the surplus of $20 million in 2007 (total exports were $155 million) has turned into a trade deficit of $80 million presenting total exports of $88 million.

The columnist refers to the Canadian corporations that have recently invested in Greece, such as manufacturer of advanced wind turbines designed specifically for distributed wind power applications Endurance Wind Power, Vancouver, whose annual exports of which are estimated to amount to $80 million in Greece and Europe.

The article also focuses on gold mining firm El Dorado, which will engage in business activities in the area of Thrace. The project is estimated at $190 million and is expected to offer 400 employment posts for the construction of the mine and 200 permanent job posts for the gold mining phase.

Ambassador of Greece in Canada Eleftherios Aggelopoulos pointed out to the Canadian journalist that the rapid investment of El Dorado proves that structures in Greece change swiftly and effectively, and he called on Greek-Canadian investors to invest in Greece.

“Greece is changing,” noted the Greek Ambassador, underlying, “There are plenty reforms that are being implemented and I believe that in that new, positive business framework there will be many investment opportunities.”

The two-day-conference was held April 27-29 in Toronto, where many distinguished Greeks delivered speeches about the Hellenic Youth and their potential.

Greek Ambassador in Ottawa, Eleftherios Aggelopoulos, Greek Consul General in Toronto Dimitris Azemopoulos and Consul General of Cyprus Iakovos Giragosian were some of the main speakers of the event. The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David Onley also addressed the crowd with a keynote speech via the internet.

Former Greek MP Theodoros Katsanevas talked about “the viability and developement in Greece, as well as the social and financial changes occured in our home country.”

Vlassis Melessanakis, Economics Professor at the University of Ottawa delivered a speech about the Greek financial crisis, while prominent businessmen of Greek origin informed the Hellenic Youth about the crisis corroding the professional sectors.

Two businessmen – Ted Mantziaris & Louis Agnostasakos – donated $50,000 to establish a Greek Studies Program at the University of Toronto, in a bid to preserve Greek culture abroad.

Consul General Dimitris Azemopoulos stated, “The success of this Hellenic students’ conference showed that cooperation, unity and vision are necessary conditions for a better future.”

The Greek wine-tasting event is part of a general course of action aiming at promoting Greek wine exports in Canada and establishing the “Quality Greek Wine Friends’ Club” in the country.

The event aimed to introduce several traditional Greek brands of wine, such as Moschofilero, Assyrtiko, Ajiorjitiko and Xinomavro, to the general public of the Canadian capital.

Additionally, there was a screening of the documentary feature “New Wines of Greece … Yours to Discover,” while the Greek Diaspora dancing group of Ottawa performed different traditional dances from Greek regions producing grapes and wine.

The celebration was attended by the Greek Ambassador in Canada, Eleftherios Aggelopoulos, the Counselor of Financial and Commercial Affairs, Peli Sousiopoulou, the Greek Canadian head of the Status of Women Committee, Niki Ashton, several wine experts, catering businessmen and many Greek-Canadians.

The week-long photo exhibition will take place in Toronto, Canada from May 5-12, 2012. The exhibition will be hosted in conjunction with the Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival, one of the largest photography festivals in the world.

This year’s Featured Photographer is Constantine Manos, “one of the world’s foremost photographers,” according to event organizers. His exhibitions have been featured in world-class museums and installations and his work is in the permanent collections of several renowned museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris.

The exhibition will include 25 North-American photographers of Greek origin, while the organizers also plan to show the work of late Greek photo reporter Chris Hondros, who was killed while on assignment in Libya on April 20, 2011.

Apart from the photo exhibition, the Greek America Foundation has also organized a Greek-inspired 48-hour short film contest for filmmakers worldwide. Although the film competition is “Greek-themed,” filmmakers of all backgrounds, who have an interest in Greece and Greek heritage and culture are welcome. 27 of the finalists’ short films will be screened during the one-week festival.

On May 6, the documentary “Krisis” will also be presented, directed by Nikos Katsaounis. The 62-minute-long documentary deals with the economic crisis in Greece.

Soudas graduated from Socrates School (Ecole primaire Socrates) in the province of Quebec, so he will hold a speech on his experiences from the Greek day school and his career.

Senator Leon. Housakos will award Soudas the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, which serves to honor significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

The presence of Soudas at the event is of great significance for the students, as he poses a role model of a successful Greek-Canadian citizen with respect to where he came from and his community.