In 1976, Tony Yazbek left his native country at the peak of his career as one of Lebanon’s top dancers and choreographers. Fleeing the civil war that broke out in Lebanon in 1975, he left behind his own creation and production company. After brief visits to France and Egypt where he produced original dance creations, Yazbek made a brief stopover in Montreal before settling in Ottawa.

Since his arrival in Canada, Tony has pursued his passion for the performing arts by creating, producing and presenting his artistic creations to audiences in Canada and abroad. The first theatre production “Natourat Al-Mafateeh” that brought together over 25 young Lebanese from Ottawa, launched Tony’s career in the arts in Canada. His vivaciousness has never dimmed since.

His achievements have made him the father of Lebanese performing arts in Canada and a pillar the local arts community. Tony’s pioneering spirit and broad vision of the place that Lebanese performing arts occupy in the cultural landscape of Canada have given breath to original works in Lebanese dance, music and theatre. His unwavering commitment to promoting Lebanese culture is obvious in the success of numerous and significant events and initiatives that he has undertaken over the last 40 years.

Antoine est Conseiller Municipal et Maire Suppléant à la Ville de Mont-Royal depuis 2021.

 

Il est arrivé au Canada en émigrant en 2015, devenu citoyen en 2020, et aussitôt après fut élu dans sa ville de Mont-Royal comme conseiller municipal. Son parcours plutôt récent dans son pays d'accueil a été marqué par son intégration extrêmement rapide et son implication immédiate aux niveaux social et communautaire, ainsi que dans les milieux des gens d'affaires.

 

Un professionnel chevronné, possédant une vaste expérience internationale acquise auprès de multinationales de premier plan et de sociétés régionales et de jeunes entreprises internationales, il a passé la majeure partie de sa carrière chez The Coca-Cola Company au Canada et au Moyen-Orient. Fort de ses 30 ans d'expérience, il a fondé en 2022 son cabinet conseil ATpublic, spécialisé dans les affaires publiques, les communications, les relations gouvernementales et la gestion de réputation et de crise. 

 

Il est reconnu pour sa capacité d'établir des relations de confiance et des réseaux et partenariats stratégiques, et est très actif auprès d'associations professionnelles locales et internationales au Canada et à l'étranger. Il est actuellement membre du conseil d'administration de la Chambre de commerce et d'industrie Canada-Liban (CCICL), et avait précédemment dirigé le comité sur la surrèglementation de la Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) de 2016 jusqu'à son élection en 2021, et a présidé la Chambre de commerce américaine au Québec et a siégé sur le conseil d'AMCHAM au Canada.

 

Son engagement envers le Liban continue avec détermination et sans relâche. Il est un des premiers partisans de l'initiative mondiale Outerpond.com, une plateforme d'externalisation qui a pour but de créer des opportunités d'affaires et assurer des revenus aux compagnies basées au Liban offreuses de services à des compagnies demandeuses de services à travers le monde. Il est aussi co-fondateur d'« Ensemble pour le Liban », une organisation à but non lucratif, inclusive et explicitement non partisane qui interagit avec les différentes partie-prenantes sur des questions de politique publique concernant le Liban. En outre, il est membre élu sur le conseil consultatif pour l'Amérique du Nord de la WAAAUB (Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut) et membre actif de son groupe international de mentorat qui conseille at assiste les étudiants et diplômés de son alma mater dans leur relocalisation géographique et changement de carrière.

A l'occasion du mois du patrimoine libanais annoncé récemment par le parlement canadien, il a promu et déposé une résolution au conseil municipal de sa ville pour le reconnaitre au sein de sa municipalité et qui a été adoptée à l'unanimité la veille de la 80ème fête de l'indépendance.

 

Au niveau académique, il est titulaire d'un baccalauréat en sciences politiques et en administration publique de l'Université américaine de Beyrouth et a complété les cours de maîtrise en sciences politiques à l'Université St Joseph au Liban.  

 

Antoine has been a Municipal Councilor and Deputy Mayor in the Town of Mount Royal since 2021. 

He arrived to Canada as emigrant in 2015, became a citizen in 2020 and very shortly after was elected in his town of Mount Royal as a municipal councillor. His rather short-term presence in his new host country was marked by an extremely rapid integration and an immediate involvement at the social and community levels, as well as in business circles. 

He is a seasoned professional with extensive international experience working with leading multinational and regional companies as well as international start-ups. He spent the majority of his career with The Coca-Cola Company in Canada and the Middle East. With his 30 years of career path, he decided in 2022 to found his consulting firm ATpublic, specializing in public affairs, communications, government relations and reputation building and crisis management. 

He is recognized for his ability to establish trust based relationships and strategic networks and partnerships, and is very active with local and international professional associations in Canada and abroad. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the Canada-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCICL), and previously chaired the committee on over-regulation of the Federation of chambres of commerce in Quebec (FCCQ) from 2016 until his election in 2021, and chaired the American Chamber of Commerce in Quebec and served on the board of AMCHAM in Canada. 

His unwavering commitment to Lebanon is ongoing with determination. He is one of the early supporters of the global initiative Outerpond.com, an outsourcing platform which aims to create business opportunities and ensure income for service providers companies based in Lebanon to service seekers companies worldwide. He is also co-founder of "Together for Lebanon", a non-profit, inclusive and explicitly non-partisan organization that interacts with various stakeholders on public policy issues concerning Lebanon. Additionally, he is an elected member on the North America Advisory Board of WAAAUB (Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut) and an active member of its international mentoring group which advises and assists students and graduates of his alma mater in their geographic relocation and career change.

On the occasion of the Lebanese heritage month recently announced by the Canadian parliament, he promoted and submitted a resolution to the municipal council of his city to recognize it within his municipality and which was unanimously adopted the day before the 80th anniversary of the independence.

Academically, he holds a bachelor's degree in political science and public administration from the American University of Beirut and completed master's courses in political science at St. Joseph University in Lebanon.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.
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For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

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Youmna Sherry, is a prominent Lebanese media personality, has established herself as a star in the realms of media and journalism, spanning television, radio, written media, digital media, content creation, and television training. Holding a Master's degree in Communication Arts, specializing in visual, auditory, and written media, Youmna has earned accolades as the "Moon of Arab Screens" for her radiant presence.

With a distinguished career that began at Future TV's "al layl al maftouh" and extended to morning shows, various successful programs, and the groundbreaking late-night show "Al Qamar Ala Bab", Youmna has left an indelible mark on numerous Lebanese and Arab TV stations. Her journey includes ventures into digital media with programs like "Ten out of Ten with Youmna" and "Old is Gold."  

Currently based in Canada, Youmna hosts a unique program "A La Youmna" every Saturday, live on the Lebanese and pan arab TV station Al Jadeed TV serving as a bridge between Canada and the diverse Lebanese and Arab communities. Her show not only shares success stories and concerns of outstanding Lebanese expatriates but also covers significant events in the realms of art, society, humanity, culture, and politics in Canada.

Youmna Sherry's impact extends beyond the screen. She has delved into the world of drama, contributing to notable Lebanese and Arab series such as "Hayat School," "Metl Al Qamar," "Al Basha," and "Hind Khanum." Additionally, she has hosted exclusive interviews with prominent stars and celebrities, becoming a reference in the industry.

Her association with renowned global brands like Porsche, Samsung, Lancôme, and others showcases her prominence as a brand ambassador. Youmna has dedicated her fame to serving various humanitarian, social, and health causes, using her media presence for awareness campaigns on issues such as breast cancer, diabetes, bullying, violence against women, and child sexual harassment.

Youmna's influence transcends borders, as she has been a frequent visitor to the Arab world, participating in over 20 major festivals. This has earned her the title of Ambassador of Festivals from esteemed journalist Georges Ibrahim Al Khoury. From Lebanon to Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and even international events in France, Italy, and Canada, Youmna has been a significant presence.

In addition to her media and on-screen achievements, Youmna held the position of Regional Director for Artistic and Cultural Affairs at the prestigious Arab magazine "Layalina." She has also been entrusted with the responsibility of television training and content creation, conducting specialized courses in Lebanon and various Arab countries, and currently preparing for a specialized course in Canada.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.
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Your support is vital for our mission. By clicking this link Canadahelps.org you can make a donation today and join us in our journey towards positive change.

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Hamsa playfully sums up her roles as an "Event Producer, Content Creator, Activist, and Humanitarian" when asked to define herself in a single sentence, blending professional versatility with a touch of light-heartedness.

Hamsa Diab Farhat, the visionary Founder and Executive Director of Taste of the Middle East, established the distinguished not-for-profit organization in 2018. Armed with a business marketing & advertising diploma from Seneca College, Hamsa has transformed Taste of the Middle East into a cornerstone celebration of Canadian Middle Eastern music, art, and culture, leaving an indelible mark on both Toronto and Mississauga. The Toronto Festival, now in its sixth year, boasts a remarkable attendance of over 50,000, drawing diverse audiences, including celebrity singers and dignitaries. Simultaneously, the Mississauga Festival, in its second annual iteration, gathers over 5,000 attendees across three days.

In tandem with her festival leadership, Hamsa launched the influential Blog Middle East Toronto, a premier source for all things Middle Eastern in the city. Recognized as a committed content creator and activist, she is known for speaking up for her community. Her dedication extends beyond professional accomplishments to humanitarian causes, where she served as a board member for three years at the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF).

Responding to the Beirut Blast, Hamsa initiated the "Lebanon Strong" Canadian Relief Campaign, dispatching 15 containers to aid Lebanon. Beyond her impactful role in community service, Hamsa showcases her talent as a Canadian Lebanese actress, earning the Gold Award in the main competition at the Alexandria Short Film Festival for "The Truth" (2018). Her prowess extends to other films, including "Eitr" (2022), "Hysteria" (2022), and "Zahra's Faces" (2022).

A dedicated wife and mother of two boys, Hamsa skillfully balances her professional, philanthropic, and personal roles, embodying an unwavering commitment to positive impact.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.
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Your support is vital for our mission. By clicking this link Canadahelps.org you can make a donation today and join us in our journey towards positive change.

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He is passionate about technology, innovation, research, and big challenging tasks on his to-do list. 

He was a Lebanese university student from 1998-2002 and obtained his master's in applied mathematics and computer science.  In 2009, he completed his Ph.D. at The Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France, specializing in embedded systems designs for avionics, satellites, and other vehicles. He proposed new approaches for accelerating simulation for the above-mentioned systems, achieving remarkable success in the methods he proposed, designed, and implemented. These methods aim at accelerating simulation reaching 1000 times more than the other latest findings, evaluated by top-ranked conferences such as ACES, ACACES, MASCOTS, and CASES.

In 2010, he moved to Canada as a permanent resident and from 2010 to 2011, worked as an assistant professor at "Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal" on an avionic project financed by Bombardier and Thales Canada.  In 2015, he founded his company "Smart Vision Embedded Systems Inc.," a process-driven software and systems engineering company offering innovative services in embedded systems development, embedded systems testing, and safe network protocols.

Currently, and since 2015, his company leads research and development projects for clients who are global leaders in training for civil aviation, defense, and security. This promotes an international single synthetic environment to simulate in real-time a virtual naval, air, and ground battlespace while considering satellite, weather, civilian, and civil aircraft. This helps governments to take relevant simulation-driven decisions in any condition.

Additionally, his company designed and implemented a platform, a mobile-based application called "CtrlFind " for Canada. The application serves as a one-stop shop for both services and products, enabling users to browse and purchase from a diverse range of offerings provided by different vendors (particulars or businesses). The app offers a convenient and user-friendly platform for buyers to search for, book, and pay for the services they require, as well as purchase products they are interested in. His long-term perspective is to propel the application with Artificial Intelligence, thereby contributing to a more convenient life for Canadian society.

To enhance professional collaboration with Lebanon and reduce production costs in Canada, he devised a roadmap. This roadmap serves as a professional collaboration bridge, facilitating collaboration with Lebanese companies (3rd parties) for the product implementation phase. This approach allows for the outsourcing of product implementation to Lebanese companies, providing them with work opportunities during the current challenging period in Lebanon. Simultaneously, it aids in lowering development costs for his company while ensuring production quality and adhering to standards. This mutually beneficial situation leverages the skills of the Lebanese workforce while addressing the specific needs of both parties.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

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Your support is vital for our mission. By clicking this link Canadahelps.org you can make a donation today and join us in our journey towards positive change.

For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

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Since the beginning of history, Lebanon has played a distinguishing role in human heritage, as Dr. Abdallah Obeid notes. Indeed, many historians and notable book authors have written about Lebanon. For instance, Paul Morin, a member of the French Academy (1888-1976), asserted, "For two thousand years A.D., Tyr & Sidon, two cities in Lebanon, summarize the entire history of the world." Gabriel Hanoto (1853-1944) expressed, "If Lebanon is not the highest summit in geography, it is one of the highest summits in history."

As a Lebanese individual, Dr. Abdallah Obeid takes great pride in his country's heritage and the Arabic language, their mother tongue. The richness of their heritage prompted Dr. Abdallah Obeid to establish the Arabic Studies program at the University of Ottawa in 1982. Subsequently, he was promoted to the Chair of Arabic Studies in 1986. Over the years, Dr. Abdallah Obeid oversaw and expanded the program, maintaining the role of Director and Professor of Arabic Studies for the next 35 years. During this time, he forged partnership agreements with several universities in Lebanon and the Middle East, creating academic and learning opportunities for students across the Arab world.

In 2012, Dr. Abdallah Obeid was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal, followed shortly after in 2017 by the 150th Anniversary of Canada medal for his significant contributions to Arab academia in Canada. Like many Lebanese who migrated to Canada, Dr. Abdallah Obeid successfully blended the richness of Lebanese culture with Canadian culture.

Through the diverse courses offered at the University of Ottawa, thousands of students had the opportunity to learn about the intriguing heritage and values of the Lebanese country, thanks to Dr. Abdallah Obeid's dedicated efforts.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

NCCAR is a not-for-profit charitable organization based in Ottawa, dedicated to fostering greater understanding and knowledge among Canadians about the cultural, historical, and socio-economic realities of the people of the Arab world.

Want to support NCCAR? Donate Now!

Your support is vital for our mission. By clicking this link Canadahelps.org you can make a donation today and join us in our journey towards positive change.

For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

English Below.

Le 24 Novembre - CNRCA met en lumière Lilianne Nazar

Vice-Présidente Ventes Corporatives / Corporate Sales Vice-Présidente chez BMW-MINI Montréal Centre.
Présidente Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Canada-Liban

Détentrice d'une accréditation auprès de l’institut des banquiers canadiens en Finance Avancée conjointement avec l’université de Toronto et baccalauréat en finance et planification financière. En plus elle complète son MBA à l’université Cumbria Angleterre, Lilianne a su mettre à contribution sa passion, ses compétences et connaissances à travers multiples rôles et secteurs d'activités au sein des différentes grandes institutions financières au Canada pour plus de 20 ans. Trouvant sa place en contribuant à la réussite des clients, à la mobilisation de ses équipes et au rayonnement de sa communauté professionnelle et culturelle.

Elle occupe présentement le poste de Vice-présidente ventes corporatives au sein de BMW-MINI Montréal Centre ou elle a la charge de développement du segment corporatif dans l’industrie de l’automotive.

Forte et experte dans son domaine, Lilianne a occupé plusieurs postes de leadership à la tête des différentes équipes et succursales service aux particuliers, commerciaux, gestion de patrimoine et développement s des affaires.

Lilianne s’est démarquée parmi les employés les plus renommés et reconnus à travers le Québec dans les deux institutions financières la banque TDCT et BMO.

Lilianne est fièrement récipiendaire de cinq prix d’excellence dont le grand prix de Leadership de la banque de Montréal BMO.

Outres ses activités professionnelles, Lilianne est pleinement impliquée au sein des communautés d’affaires et culturelles au Québec et à travers le Canada. Ainsi, elle a réussi à bâtir des fortes relations contribuant à son succès personnel et professionnel.  Son dévouement envers sa communauté se concrétise par son immense implication au sein de la CCICL afin de donner un support constant aux membres et d’appuyer les projets pour les entrepreneurs, entreprises et les femmes d’affaires pour la croissance et la réussite de la communauté d’affaires canado-libanaises et canadiennes.

Pendant les 6 dernières années, Lilianne a comblé plusieurs postes au sein de la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie Canada -Liban, du rôle de Secrétaire général au rôle du Vice-président au comité exécutif et présentement et depuis Mars 2022, elle siège en tant que la présidente du conseil d’administration de la CCICL.

Lilianne est une fière maman de deux enfants qui font sa source d’inspiration à être une meilleure personne apportant au succès de la collectivité et surtout qui mène par l’exemple en valorisant les connexions humaines respectueuses et qui participent à créer une société harmonieuse, saine et réussie.

November 24 - Spotlight on Lilianne Nazar

Vice-President of Corporate Sales / Corporate Sales Vice-President at BMW-MINI Montreal Centre. President of the Canada-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Accredited from the Canadian Institute of Bankers in Advanced Finance, in collaboration with the University of Toronto, and a holder of a bachelor's degree in finance and financial planning, Lilianne is currently completing her MBA at the University of Cumbria, England.

Over the past 20 years, she has effectively utilized her passion, skills, and knowledge across various roles and sectors within major financial institutions in Canada. Finding her place in contributing to client success, team mobilization, and the advancement of her professional and cultural community.

Lilianne is currently serving as Vice President of Corporate Sales at BMW-MINI Montreal Centre. Lilianne is responsible for the development of the corporate segment in the automotive industry. A strong and experienced professional in her field. She has held several leadership positions heading various teams and branches in retail, commercial services, wealth management, and business development. Lilianne has distinguished herself as one of the most renowned and recognized employees in both TDCT and BMO financial institutions in Quebec.

She proudly holds five excellence awards, including the Grand Leadership Prize from the Bank of Montreal (BMO).

Beyond her professional activities, Lilianne is deeply involved in business and cultural communities in Quebec and across Canada. She has successfully built strong relationships contributing to her personal and professional success. Her dedication to her community is evident through her extensive involvement in the CCICL, providing constant support to members and supporting projects for entrepreneurs, businesses, and businesswomen to foster the growth and success of the Canadian-Lebanese and Canadian business communities.

Over the past six years, Lilianne has held various positions within the Canada-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, from Secretary-General to Vice President of the Executive Committee, and currently, since March 2022, she serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the CCICL.

Lilianne is a proud mother of two children who inspire her to be a better person, contributing to the success of the community. She leads by example, valuing respectful human connections that contribute to creating a harmonious, healthy, and successful society.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

NCCAR is a not-for-profit charitable organization based in Ottawa, dedicated to fostering greater understanding and knowledge among Canadians about the cultural, historical, and socio-economic realities of the people of the Arab world.

Dr. Mona Nemer, C.M., C.Q., FRSC

Dr. Mona Nemer was first appointed Canada’s Chief Science Advisor in 2017, reappointed in 2020, and again in 2022. Prior to this role, Dr. Nemer was Professor and Vice-President of Research at the University of Ottawa and Director of the school’s Molecular Genetics and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory. A leader in the field of molecular cardiology, her work has contributed to the development of diagnostic tests for heart failure and the genetics of cardiac birth defects. 

Nemer was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1957 where she found her passion for chemistry. At the age of 17, she and her classmates successfully advocated to create a science stream at her all-girls school.

She left Lebanon during the civil war and moved to Kansas where she obtained a bachelor's degree in 1977, majoring in chemistry with minors in French and mathematics at Wichita State University.^[10] In the summer of 1977, Nemer visited Montreal with friends. The visit convinced her to attend graduate school in the city. She went on to complete a PhD in bio-organic chemistry from McGill University in 1982.

She is the author of over 200 academic publications that have appeared in prestigious scientific journals and has trained over 100 students from various countries.  Dr. Nemer has served on various national and international advisory committees and boards, including as an Executive Committee Member of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force as well as an ex-officio member of the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force and the Industry Strategy Council.

During her mandate, she has helped to expand and diversify science advice to the government by establishing a multidisciplinary network of federal science advisors, founding a pan-Canadian youth council to provide evidence-based input on scientific issues affecting young people, and helping to create the Interdepartmental Indigenous STEM Cluster (I-STEM) to inform and advance Indigenous aspirations and innovation in natural science stewardship.

Dr. Nemer has also promoted free, open, and responsible use of science in government through the creation of a model policy on scientific integrity and a roadmap for open science to guide efforts in making federal research available to Canadians.  She has provided science advice on numerous issues ranging from research infrastructure to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Nemer has represented Canada in international science forums, is a globally recognized champion of Canadian science, and is the recipient of many national and international honours.

She is a Member of the Order of Canada, a fellow of the Academy of Sciences of the Royal Society of Canada, a fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science, a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec, a Knight of the French Republic’s National Order of Merit and a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. She has been awarded honorary doctorates from universities in France, Finland, and Lebanon.

Dr. Nemer holds a PhD in Chemistry from McGill University and has done post-doctoral training in molecular biology at the Montréal Clinical Research Institute and Columbia University. Prior to joining the University of Ottawa, she was a Professor of Pharmacology at the Université de Montréal and directed the Cardiac Genetics Unit at the Montréal Clinical Research Institute.

 

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

fcyhNCCAR is a not-for-profit charitable organization based in Ottawa, dedicated to fostering greater understanding and knowledge among Canadians about the cultural, historical, and socio-economic realities of the people of the Arab world.

Want to support NCCAR? Donate Now!

Your support is vital for our mission. By clicking this link Canadahelps.org you can make a donation today and join us in our journey towards positive change.

For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

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Happy Lebanese Independence Day! 

On this special day, let's celebrate the resilience, strength, and unity of the Lebanese people.  Today marks the 79th anniversary of Lebanon's independence, a testament to the enduring spirit of a nation that has faced challenges with courage and determination. We celebrate the 22nd day of November Lebanese Heritage Month with Spotlight on our four honorary consuls which span across Canada from Halifax, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.  

NCCAR would like to express its appreciation and gratitude to the four honorary Lebanese consuls serving in Canada. Their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in supporting the Lebanese community are truly commendable. These individuals play a pivotal role in fostering strong ties between Lebanon and Canada, facilitating important diplomatic and community initiatives. Through their commitment, they contribute significantly to the well-being and cohesion of our community, bridging cultural connections and providing valuable assistance to those in need. Their exemplary service reflects a deep sense of responsibility and a genuine passion for strengthening the bonds that unite us. Thank you to these honorary consuls for their invaluable contributions and for being pillars of support for the Lebanese diaspora in Canada.

Today's spotlight spanning from coast to cost (in Alphabetical order) are:

Mr. Gregoire Bostajian consul in Toronto

Biography to come.

Wadih M. Fares, Honorary Consul in Halifax.

Mr. Wadih Fares exemplifies entrepreneurial spirit and community service. Escaping the civil war in Lebanon as a teenager, he settled in Nova Scotia, learned English, graduated from university, and founded his own company. An innovator, he combined building design, construction and property management into one company that has transformed Halifax’s landscape and helped boost the local economy.

With over 30 years of experience, Wadih Fares has been involved in every aspect of building design, project management and development. Wadih received his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Technical University of Nova Scotia and a Diploma of Engineering from Dalhousie University. He wanted to create a company that would bring all of the disciplines involved in a development project together under one roof. The result was WM Fares Group, a company that started with the philosophy that customers crave simplicity. Wadih’s goal was to rid his customers of the challenges and stresses of dealing with multiple consultants and contractors and give them a much more comfortable and convenient experience.

Since that time, Wadih has led his team of professional engineers, architects, planners and support staff to the successful completion of many major projects. These include hospitality, multi-unit residential and commercial projects throughout the Maritime Provinces, Ontario and Alberta. He has also shared this expertise with others in the industry, through his membership with the Engineers Nova Scotia, and past membership in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Alberta and Ontario.

For as long as Wadih has been developing the buildings in which people live and work, he has worked to develop the communities united within them. As a Lebanese immigrant, he believes strongly in celebrating the unique talents and contributions everyone brings to this province and country. The success of the WM Fares business has allowed Wadih to be quite involved on a community level. Wadih actively participates on high-profile boards and committees volunteering his time and talent. He values his business and community accomplishments equally.

Elie Ghanime, Honorary Consul in Calgary. 

Mr. Elie Ghanime was born in Lebanon and immigrated to Canada in 1974. He runs a real estate development and financial investments firm in Calgary Alberta and maintains close ties with the Lebanese diaspora community, religious, businesses and political leaders in his region. Mr. Ghanime proudly achieved his dream, when he built the first Lebanese Honorary Consulate in Calgary in 2019 raising the Lebanese flag in the blue skies of Calgary and beside the Rockies mountain of Alberta.

Mr. Ghanime was a key contributor to building the Lebanese Diaspora village in Batroun (Canada house) – Lebanon a project that aims connect the Lebanese Diaspora with the Lebanese Nationals in a cultural and touristic Context.  He also worked tirelessly on the project Honouring the first Lebanese immigrant to Canada. 

Since the opening of the consulate in 2019, he has assisted numerous Lebanese needs in Alberta and continues work hard to serve the community at large.

Mr. Ghanime favourite travel destination is to the most country in the world LEBANON.  

Dr. Nicolas Kahwaj, Honorary Consul in Vancouver. 

Dr. Nicolas Kahwaji, known as "Neck," was born in Sidon. He graduated from the Free University of Brussels as a dentist in 1981 and later moved to Vancouver in the late eighties to practice dentistry. He served as the former president of the Lebanese Canadian Society in British Columbia in the nineties and a former Secretary-General of the Worldwide Lebanese Cultural University. He is a founding member of the "World Committee for Lebanese Titanic Victims" and a founding member of the "Phoenician Studies Global Center." Additionally, he is a founding member of the British Columbia Council at the Cultural University, which, through his efforts, erected the Gibran Monument at Simon Fraser University.

In 2018, he was appointed as an honorary consul in Vancouver and has since been serving his community with dedication and integrity.

For twenty years, he worked on a massive project with a group of Lebanese individuals, namely the establishment of the Lebanese Diaspora Square in Victoria, which was inaugurated this year to commemorate the 135th anniversary of the arrival of the first Lebanese to Western Canada in 1888.

The statue, resembling the one found in the Beirut Port area, now stands in a heritage square resembling an open-air museum at the entrance of Western Canada, specifically in Victoria. This underscores the significance of the role that the Lebanese community continues to play in Canada and other countries of the diaspora.

In collaboration with the Consul of Halifax, Wadih Fares, he planted a Lebanese cedar and unveiled a commemorative plaque in honor of the Lebanese Titanic victims at the Lebanese cemetery.

On the occasion of Lebanon's centenary in 2020, he collaborated with the French consulate to organize a year-long celebration in Vancouver.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

Mr Joseph Nassif began his illustrious journalism career as a photojournalist for Dar Al Sayad, a preeminent Middle East publishing house in early 1977, more specifically as a main photographer to arts and society weekly publication "Al Shabaka" magazine, a cultural, social, and artistic magazine, a cutting edge and daring publication for its time, a just reflection of the Lebanese art scene at the time. Mr Nassif quickly became the sole photographer artist responsible for cover spreads, investigative interviews, and the society pages. He accumulated hundreds of covers signed with his name and photographed leading Arab and middle eastern artists, signers, models and actors. With that experience behind him and an envious network of the who is who of the Arab art scene, he transitioned into an investigative journalist in the art scene in addition to his photography and became the headline of an exclusive weekly section  for his pen and camera under the title "The Magic Camera."
He conducted numerous interviews with many stars of the arts and society in Lebanon and the Arab world. He played a significant role in the launch and success of some of them, many of whom still hold a prominent position in the world today. In addition to this, he covered many artistic festivals in the Arab world, especially beauty pageants in Lebanon from 1977 to 2000.

In the year 2000 at the turn of the century, Mr Nassif left all the fame, success, and press behind to build a life for the family in Canada, where his reputation preceded him.  He started his Canadian career as a wedding and event  photographer, was shortly a member of the Phonecia newspaper published in Montreal as responsible for Ottawa news. In 2007 Mr Nassif began broadcasting on Ottawa's Chin Radio, a multilingual radio station. After starting as a sound engineer and DJ on a number of multilingual programs, he devoted himself to the Arabic program which had grown to a full 9 hour time slot. Mr Nassif went on to anchor and host his own  morning show, a heart-to-heart program that covered  matters of the heart, art, society, an politics. Mr Nassif retired from radio life in 2019.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

Hassan (Sam) Mraiche is the President and chief Executive Officer at MHCare Medical. Owner and director of a petroleum company, Carver PA Corporation, and Owner and Director of Mraiche Holding Corporation.  The Lebanese Canadian Hassan Mariche, known as Sam, has his origins in Jeb Jenin in the Bekaa Valley. He immigrated to Edmonton Canada with his family when he was young and graduated with a degree in business administration.  Hassan has extensive experience in business management, which he gained from his company, Carver PA Corporation, in which he started as an ordinary employee and soon became its owner. He later founded another company MHCare Medical, right before the pandemic. MHCARE is one of the fastest-growing medical supply companies and it was at the forefront among the companies concerned with providing the PPE material, such as masks, medical gloves, and sterilizer.

During the Beirut Port explosion, Hassan Marish worked to launch a unique initiative that sent five planes to Lebanon loaded with food supplies, toys for children, medicines to treat cancer patients, clothes, sterilization tools, equipment for the fire brigade, and ambulances.

On January 31st, 2023, Sam Mraiche received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his humanitarian efforts. He is among 7,000 Albertans who had a significant impact in giving back to communities.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

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Albert H. Malouf was a Quebec lawyer and judge. The son of a merchant of Lebanese origin, Malouf was born in Montreal on December 19, 1916.  He pursued law studies at McGill University and became a member of the Bar in 1942. He served for four years in the Canadian Armed Forces, then practiced law with several renowned attorneys. He was appointed judge of the Court of Sessions of the Peace in 1968, and then promoted to the Superior Court in 1972. In one of his first judgments, he declared a dismissal in the case of a young Inuit who could not hear his witnesses, because he was judged in Montreal, 1,000 km from home. The 'Itoshat affair led to the creation of itinerant courts of justice which travel throughout Northern Quebec to hear cases of a criminal nature in the community of the accused.

The following year, he ruled in favor of the Crees and Inuit who demanded an end to construction work on the James Bay project. The judgment, which was overturned on appeal, created quite a stir in Quebec and was published in full in a book published in December 1973. The Malouf judgment nevertheless forced the Quebec government to negotiate the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement with indigenous communities. These judgments will have a major impact on “the rules for issuing provisional and interlocutory injunctions” in Quebec courts.

In July 1977, Prime Minister René Lévesque gave him the mandate to chair an investigation into the costs of the facilities for the 1976 Olympic Games. The investigation, which lasted three years, blamed the mayor of Montreal, Jean Drapeau, for the dizzying rise in costs. of the Olympic Park. The conclusions of the report, made public on June 5, 1980, were strongly contested by the mayor of Montreal, who promised to respond to them one day. Having died in 1999, Mr. Drapeau never followed through on his promise during his lifetime3, but he had indeed prepared a response of more than 300 pages. This was made public during the disclosure of his personal archives as planned 20 years after his death.

The Albert-Malouf Law Scholarship is named in memory of the late Judge Albert Malouf, a notable figure in Quebec law, who died in April 1997. Mr. Malouf practiced law from 1946 to 1968, the year he was appointed judge, a profession that he brilliantly exercised for a period of 23 years. Judge Malouf also chaired several important commissions of inquiry, notably that into the cost of the installations for the Montreal Olympic Games. The Albert-Malouf Scholarship in Law is financed by a donation left by Mr. Malouf to the UQAM Foundation and is offered to undergraduate students in legal sciences who have an excellent academic record.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

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Nazem Kadri (born October 6, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs seventh overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He played his junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), first with the Kitchener Rangers and then the London Knights. He won the J. Ross Robertson Cup with Kitchener and was part of the Rangers team that lost to the Spokane Chiefs in the final of the 2008 Memorial Cup. Kadri has also represented Canada internationally at the 2010 World Junior Championships, where the team received the silver medal after losing the final to the United States 6–5. Kadri was born on October 6, 1990, in London, Ontario, the second of five children and the only son born to Samir and Suhayla Kadri. (photo credit Getty Images credit: Christian Petersen)

His grandparents were born in Kfar Danis, Lebanon, and moved to Ontario when Kadri's father was four years old. Samir Kadri wanted to play hockey during his adolescence, but his family could not afford for their son to play. When Nazem was born, his father decided that he should have the opportunity to play the sport.
Kadri began ice skating at the age of two, joined his first hockey team when he was four years old, and was playing at the elite level within the next two years. The Kadri family also attended National Hockey League (NHL) games; despite living near Toronto, they supported the Montreal Canadiens. Kadri was a successful hockey, basketball, and volleyball player, first at Jack Chambers Public School and later at A. B. Lucas Secondary School. By the end of his high school career, Kadri was fairly certain that he would be selected in the NHL draft. He also played minor ice hockey in the London Jr. Knights system of the Alliance Hockey organization, serving as team captain at multiple minor levels.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

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For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

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Jacqueline Jaber is a specialized journalist holding a bachelor's degree in media from the Lebanese University. She pursued specialized courses in media and has worked in the fields of writing, audio, and visual journalism in Lebanon.

She worked at the National News Agency and the Lebanese Radio before taking on the role of Secretary-General of the National Council for Visual and Audio Media. She has numerous published articles in magazines, newspapers, and online platforms, covering medical, social, cultural, political, and municipal topics.

Jacqueline has produced and presented various cultural, social, and artistic television programs related to children, Lebanese heritage, and municipalities. She also organized a long television program on LBCI with over 90 artistic, political, media, medical, and civil society figures, entering the Guinness World Records.

She has written and recorded numerous topics and books for the visually impaired and advertisements for some production companies. Four years ago, she migrated to Canada with her family and worked as a correspondent for the National News Agency in Canada and North America, as well as a correspondent for LBCI during the parliamentary elections.

She manages her comprehensive trilingual website, AlKalimaNews, in Arabic, French, and English.

Jacqueline authored the book "From Lebanon to Canada: The Secrets of Homeland and the Charm of Exile." The book, the first of its kind in Canada, discusses the life and successes of the Lebanese community in Canada. It was released in Arabic, French, and English and is the first to archive the expatriate history of thirty Lebanese personalities. It was presented to the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, the Lebanese Ambassador Fadi Ziade, the Lebanese Consul General Tony Eid, and the former President of the Lebanese-Canadian Chamber of Industry, Charles Abou Khalil. Currently, she is in the process of writing the second part, which is expected to be published next year.

Dr. Jamelie Hassan is a visual artist, independent curator, activist, lecturer and writer based in London, Ontario.

Since the 1970s, she has exhibited widely in Canada and internationally.

In 1993, she received the “Canada 125” Medal for outstanding community service.

​In 2001, she received a Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts in recognition of her artistic achievements. Her activism, curatorial work, and contributions to the artist-run centre movement in Canada were also mentioned by the jury in their statement. 

Hassan’s works are in public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), the New Museum, New York; Western’s McIntosh Gallery and Museum London. She is one of the founders of two artist-run centres in London, Ont., the Forest City Gallery and the Embassy Cultural House. She has also curated several projects in Canada and internationally and has served on advisory panels for AGO, Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

On October 20, 2023, Western University Jamelie Hassan received an Honorary Degree from the University during convocation. This is her second honorary degree. Dr. Jamelie Hassan has also received an honorary degree in Visual Arts from Ontario College of Art & Design University, Toronto, in 2018. 

Her work is on exhibit in the Being and Belonging exhibit at the ROM in Toronto until January 5, 2024. 

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

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Your support is vital for our mission. By clicking this link Canadahelps.org you can make a donation today and join us in our journey towards positive change.

For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

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Hussein Yousuf Hoballah is a co-founder and the Editor-in-Chief of “Sada Al-Mashrek”, a news website launched in 1997.

“Sada Al-Mashrek” is deemed the voice of the Muslim/Arab community of Canada, especially of Quebec. The website covers community events, mainly ones related to the countries of origin. “Sada Al-Mashrek” also promotes awareness of the Canadian political reality.

Sloganising “for a stronger community”, “Sada Al-Mashrek” avoids taking sides when any community groups are in discord and handles matters unbiasedly, especially when the concerned groups are willing to engage in constructive conversations with unalike groups.

Writing articles in Arabic and English about community and Canadian issues, Hussein Hoballah seeks to highlight the problems that Canada’s Arab/Muslim community faces and to defend the community from repetitively being targeted.
He landed in Canada in 1988 and has since lived in Montreal. He’s married, fathers two sons and three daughters and has 7 grandchildren.

A community activist, he’s a member of the board of trustees at the Centre Communautaire Musulman de Montréal (CCMM).
He heads a food-processing company, in which dozens of workers of diverse ethnicities are employed.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.
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For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

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Yazan Abdul Ghani Haymour holds a degree in Child Psychology and chairs the Canadian Arab Friendship Association (CAFA).

Winner of the Nina Timberly Award, which is the highest award given in Heritage Days celebrations.

Winner of Heritage Festival Awards

Winner of the Canada Founding Memorial Silver Medal

Winner of awards and medals from the Edmonton City Police for his volunteer services and awareness programs for the community’s youth.

Yazan Abdul Ghani Haymour, or Uncle (3amo) Yazan, as the people of the Arab communities in Edmonton like to call him, belongs to Lebanon as a whole. He immigrated to Canada as a youth, where he followed Arabic language courses.

He later managed the Arab Association in Edmonton, where he worked to consolidate its goals in the region and spread its teachings. He 
worked in partnership with the Alberta Ministry of Education and Edmonton Public School Board to include Arabic in the curriculum 

He took courses in social counselling that allowed him to work with the Social Affairs Foundation - the Department of Care for Youth Issues and Problems, who without a doubt became their trustworthy reference and defender, as well as the incubator of their daily stories and pains.

He worked to help immigrants diversify their identities and desires, to spare them the repercussions and problems of alienation, and to facilitate their integration into the new society, in addition to strengthening the bridge of communication between newcomers and residents, through the portal of the Arab-Canadian Friendship Society, which was and continues to be the ideal framework for providing such care services.

He worked to spread the teachings of the Arabic language among members of its communities. He cooperated - in the name of the association - with the Department of Education, and with great support from members of the Arab communities and those who believe in the importance of the Arabic language and its pioneering role in Arab culture and civilization, in order to approve the teaching of the Arabic language in public schools, which was born in the Glengarry School in Edmonton. In the year 1983-1984, this is not to mention the distinguished achievement that was achieved later, represented by the Minister of Education, David Egan, issuing his historic decision to make the Arabic language an official language in the province, of Alberta’s educational curriculum, which is a unique decision recorded throughout Canada and North America, which requires During which schools open classes to teach if there is a sufficient number of students for study.

Uncle Yazan was able, through the offerings of the Arab Friendship Association, to attract a significant number of students, the number of which exceeded two thousand students of various Arab ages and nationalities, who continued their studies until the secondary stage, before moving to the University of Alberta, where the Arab Association had the first role in establishing Arabic language program.  

He holds an honorary doctorate from the Alberta Academy of Theology, which he has always considered “honourable” for his humility and the virtues of his high human morals.

Canadian writer David Stewart co-wrote three books related to introducing Islam, which placed his name confidently on the list of researchers and bloggers of in-depth religious philosophical books.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

Hay-Love Hadchiti is the founder and director of the Lebanese Film Festival in Canada and in the USA. Bridging countries and cultures through cinema, the LFFC was launched in North America in 2017 and have since toured 5 cities, showcased more than 420 short and feature films, and catered to more than 9000 people of all ages every year.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema, Television and Radio, started her career in the television and film industry, working with independent production houses in Lebanon and the Middle East. For over a decade, she directed and produced television programs such as sitcoms, live shows, special events, drama series and documentaries.  

Over the few past years, Hay-Love organized and participated in workshops and seminars about the Lebanese cinema industry. As a partner in New Dimension of the Universe, she is currently working on a special cultural exchange project between Lebanese and Canadian students/artists.

Utilizing her diverse skill set, Hay-Love passionately devoted her time as a volunteer, contributing her talents to enriching cultural events and esteemed organizations, including the Salvation Army, YMCA, Canadian Liver Foundation, and Parkinson Foundation.

Recognizing her exceptional impact, RBC proudly nominated Hay-Love as a woman of influence. In addition to her philanthropic endeavors, she played a pivotal role as a jury member in multiple prestigious film festivals.

Moreover, Hay-Love's dedication extends to her advisory position on the Women Helping Empower Women (WHEW) board, exemplifying her commitment to uplifting fellow women. Beyond her humanitarian pursuits, and she is a Formula 1 race fan.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.
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Your support is vital for our mission. By clicking this link Canadahelps.org you can make a donation today and join us in our journey towards positive change.

For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

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In 2006, Mohamad Fakih, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, purchased a nearly bankrupt restaurant and transformed it into what is known as the fastest growing Middle Eastern Halal restaurant chain in North America – Paramount Fine Foods. Mohamad’s determination to change perceptions surrounding Middle Eastern food has driven Paramount’s brand success across Canada and Internationally as well as advancing the global Middle Eastern food trend.

A community leader, Fakih regularly participates in fundraisers and community events, supporting multiple causes and organizations. His determination to uphold values of giving back to communities where Paramount restaurants are located has resulted in a workplace culture of giving to others and to supporting one another.


In the last 2 years, Dr. Fakih has received numerous awards for his business excellence and for his charitable works including a few mentioned below:

• University of West Indies, Raymond Chang Award 2019 – Given to individuals who exemplify leadership and philanthropy in commitment to betterment of communities in Canada.
• VOSCARS, Hazel McCallion Power of Giving Award, 2019 – Given to individuals with generosity and determination who has made a variety of contributions to the community.
• Ontario Supreme Court – Dr. Fakih awarded $2.5 million dollars against Kevin J. Johnston in defamation court case
• Businessperson of the Year Award, 2019 – Won the prestigious Business Award of Excellence 2019, by the Mississauga Board of Trade.
• Key to the City of Mississauga, 2019 - Awarded the key to the city of Mississauga by Mayor Bonnie Crombie, bestowed upon esteemed community members, former residents and visitors whom the Mayor wishes to honour.
• Canada’s Most Admired CEO 2019, Mid-market category – Recognized as a national winner for fostering high performance corporate cultures that help sustain a competitive advantage.
• Corporate Citizen of the year 2021
• 2021 – Order of Canada

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

Eli El-Chantiry was first elected to Ottawa City Council in November 2003.

Eli is the former proprietor of the Lighthouse Restaurant in Constance Bay and is well known throughout West Carleton-March for his extensive community involvement. He is committed to continue to work with area residents and businesses to help build West Carleton-March's future in the City of Ottawa.

Eli was born in 1957 and is the second oldest of six children. Raised on his family's farm in Lebanon, he came to Canada when he was 18 years old to begin a new life. He met his wife, Maha, soon after arriving in Ottawa and they were married over three decades ago.

Councillor El-Chantiry has been a staunch supporter and a dedicated volunteer for many West Carleton events. He has been on the Board of Directors for the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and has worked with a number of local groups any time help is needed - including local Community Centres, local Churches, the Legion, and Seniors Groups. Eli was recognized for his efforts when his community awarded him the West Carleton Citizen of the Year for 2001. Receiving this prestigious award during the U.N. International Year of the Volunteer is one of Eli's proudest accomplishments. Eli was truly honoured to receive the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

During the 2010-2014 term of Council, Eli acted as Deputy Mayor for the City of Ottawa. He also proudly served on the Ottawa Police Services Board from 2003 to 2018, with 12 consecutive years serving as Chair. From 2015 to 2018, Eli also served as Chair of the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB).

For the 2018-2022 term of Council, Eli is Chair of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. He is also currently a member of:

Community & Protective Services Committee
Finance & Economic Development Committee
Transportation Committee
Audit Committee
Ottawa Board of Health
Rural Ontario Municipal Association
Committee of Revision
Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority
Mohr's Landing/Quyon Port Authority

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

Joseph Daoura, LL.M., D.E.A is an attorney and Barrister member of the Quebec Bar Association. He is a recognized arbitrator and civil and commercial matters from the Quebec Bar. He has multidisciplinary legal practice consisting mainly of negotiation, drafting of various contracts, and pleading various litigation cases at civil, provincial and federal courts, and of different corporate and commercial legal services. 

He obtained a Lebanese law degree, French law degree, and master's degree from the University of Saint Joseph in Beirut. 

He studied Canadian and civil law at the University of Montreal. 

From 2009 to 2012, he was elected as municipal councillor of the Town of Mount Royal and participated in promoting the best services and the urban development of the town where a lot of Lebanese Canadians live.  In 2017, upon invitation from the Lebanese Diaspora Event (LDE), he attended the conference held in Lebanon with the ex-mayor of the town of Mount Royal, Philip Roy. He contributed with the ex-mayor of Mount Royal to sign the protocol twinning between Batroon and the Town of Mount Royal.

He took office as vice president of the Chamber of Commerce Canada-Liban, and has received recognition for services rendered to the Lebanese community from the Consulate General of Lebanon in Montreal. 

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

Leila Bdeir was born in Lebanon and immigrated to Montreal as a small child in 1976. After completing her graduate studies in political science at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Leila pursued a career in international development. During that period, she worked with international NGOs such as the Sisterhood Is Global Institute (SIGI), as well as at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). After spending ten years in that field, she began a new career in teaching and in 2010 joined the Humanities Department of Vanier College, in Montreal. Leila considers it to be one of the great privileges of her life to be an educator, especially with as diverse a student population as the one at Vanier College. As an Arab-Canadian who went through the education system in Quebec, she understands in a deep way how meaningful representation can be for racialized students. In 2010, Leila Bdeir created the first Cegep course on Islamophobia called Who’s Afraid of Arabs? She also co-lead a three-year participatory action research (PAR) project on the experiences of Muslim students in Cegep, a project which received a significant PAREA grant.  This research has garnered significant interest in academic circles both in Canada and in the United States.

All of Leila Bdeir’s work, including in the classroom is rooted in a critical feminist and anti-racist perspective. Since 1999, Leila has been involved in grassroots initiatives to promote Palestinian human rights as well as participating in Arab and Muslim feminist work. As a vocal opponent to the war in Iraq, she participated in local campaigns to subvert the deadly boycott. She has also been a staunch organizer against Islamophobia and racism. In 2013, she co-founded a Quebec-based Muslim women’s collective the goal of which was to highlight the activism and research of Muslim women whose work has been instrumental in fighting against institutionalized Islamophobia. For the last few years, Leila has become involved in union work with the Fédération nationale des enseignantes et enseignants du Québec (FNEEQ) and was a key contributor to their recently-released Guide antiraciste. 

Leila is committed to teaching her children Arabic and making sure they stay connected to their Lebanese roots. She believes this is the best way to honour the sacrifices of her parents and the resilience of the Lebanese-Canadian community. 

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

Dina was a guest speaker at the Rotman School of Business and also Mc Master University.
she is recognized internationally for her expertise in the International logistics field.
President & CEO Global Logistics Management Inc.

Founder: Lebanon Strong

Dina Bakhit loves Zahle, although she lives in Toronto, Canada. Her passion for helping Lebanon will never stop. Dina has built an international shipping business since the year 2000 called Global Logistics Management Inc. The company is recognized as one of the top shipping companies in Canada that focuses on shipping from Canada to the Middle East by Air freight or sea freight, import/ export, and customs clearance.

Dina Bakhit focuses on empowering people and inspiring her customers to grow their businesses, be it importing or exporting products to and from the Middle East /Canada.

Dina has a love for helping Lebanon. During the Beirut blast, she shipped over 20 containers of Aid and helped raise $50,000 to buy a container of baby milk that was distributed across Lebanon to various NGOs.

Dina has a passion for helping countries in need and getting aid to the most vulnerable people all around the world. Bakhit believes in always helping and giving back when and where you can.

she also mentors international students and is all about women helping empower other women. She has earned significant recognition for her community work and industry involvement over the years

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

Roland Pierre Dick is an architect. He graduated from the University of Montreal in 1994.
He is best known for his involvement in Canadian federal parliamentary elections in 2015, where he took a step into the political arena.

Born in the city of Jbeil in Lebanon, Roland later emigrated to Canada in the 1990s. In Canada, he continued his education, earning a degree in architectural engineering. His academic success laid the foundation for a remarkable career in the field.

Roland Dick also demonstrated his commitment to humanitarian causes, actively participating in various charitable activities. He was a key figure in organizing blood donation campaigns and collaborating with Canadian institutions and the Canadian Armed Forces. These campaigns have become annual events, making a positive impact on the community.

One of Roland's significant achievements was the successful petition to relocate the Canadian embassy to Lebanon, which involved collecting 25,000 signatures from Lebanese nationals residing in Canada. The Canadian government responded to this initiative by approving the relocation, a decision announced during a ceremony held at the Cathedral of the Holy Savior for the Catholic Melkite community.

In collaboration with a group of friends, Roland worked on arranging a citizenship award ceremony for immigrants to Canada, which took place on the 60th anniversary of Canada's citizenship program. Many immigrants from diverse countries were granted Canadian citizenship during this event. The Ministry of Immigration recognized Roland's unique achievement by honouring him.

Recognizing the importance of preserving the cultural identity of Lebanese expatriates in Canada, Roland approached the Montreal City Council to request the installation of a commemorative monument. The monument was dedicated to the first group of Lebanese immigrants who arrived in Quebec, marking 125 years of their presence in the region. Despite initial setbacks, Roland's determination led to the successful establishment of the commemorative monument, reinforcing the Lebanese presence in Canada.

Moreover, Roland pursued official recognition for a memorial dedicated to immigrants. He signed an official agreement with the Laval City Council to hold a competition to choose the best sculpture, resulting in the creation of a sculpture depicting the Cedar of Lebanon and the icy mountain. The sculpture also featured the handprints of immigrants, particularly Lebanese residents in Laval, as a tribute to their contributions to the project. This was made possible through the coordination and sponsorship of Roland Dick.

Roland Dick is a prominent figure in the Lebanese-Canadian community, known for his activism and contributions in various domains, emphasizing his commitment to social, cultural, and humanitarian causes. His achievements demonstrate his dedication to preserving and celebrating the Lebanese heritage in Canada, ultimately fostering a stronger bond between the Lebanese diaspora and their adopted homeland.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

MP Aboultaif brings more than a decade of experience as a small business owner and operator to the House of Commons. Since entering politics, Ziad remains a strong advocate for small business ownership and creating a regulatory system that empowers entrepreneurs to create the well-paying jobs that Canadians rely on. Elected to Parliament in 2015, and re-elected in 2019, Ziad was appointed Official Opposition Critic for National Revenue from 2015 to 2017, Shadow Minister for International Development from 2017 to 2019 and Shadow Minister for Digital Government from 2019-2020. 

A successful business owner, devoted community leader and a strong advocate for live organ donations, Ziad has travelled around the world as part of his international business commitments, giving him a strong analytical understanding of what drives Canadian and international economies. 

His extensive work on community boards has earned him both an Alberta Centennial Medal (2005), and a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). Furthermore, Ziad has long been an advocate for organ and tissue donation and in 2003 he made a partial-liver donation. He believes that live organ donation is the ultimate gift and commitment to life. In Parliament, Ziad is working to increase awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation and introduced legislation, Bill C-223, to establish a Canadian Organ Donor Registry in order to coordinate and promote organ donation throughout Canada. As someone who has experienced firsthand the extraordinary gift of living organ donation, Ziad is committed to standing as a role model to encourage Canadians to improve the lives of others. 

Originally from Lebanon, Ziad immigrated to Canada in 1990. He has been married to his wife Elizabeth since 1991, and together they have two sons. 

Ziad is a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade as well as numerous Parliamentary Friendship Groups and Caucuses including Co-chairing the Canada-Lebanon Parliamentary Friendship.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

Paula Baaklini Abou Haidar is a Canadian of Lebanese origin, known for her remarkable contributions to the world of media and broadcasting. Her journey in the field of communication and journalism has been marked by dedication, integrity, and a profound commitment to bridging the gap between her Lebanese heritage and the multicultural Canadian society.

Born with a passion for media, Paula embarked on her career while still pursuing her bachelor's degree in Political and Administrative Sciences at the Lebanese University. Her early days in the industry were marked by her association with the esteemed 'Voice of Lebanon,' one of the most significant radio stations of its time. It was here that Paula honed her skills alongside prominent media figures, immersing herself in the art of broadcasting.

Paula's responsibilities at 'Voice of Lebanon' extended to preparing and presenting both social and artistic programs, further enhancing her abilities. She also made her presence felt in delivering major news bulletins, establishing herself as a prominent voice in the world of Lebanese media.

The next chapter of Paula's career saw her transition into the realm of television as a program presenter at the Arab Women's Channel in Hazmieh. This marked a distinct phase in her career, and she continued to excel, leaving a lasting impact on the viewers.

However, Paula's journey took an unexpected turn as she moved to Canada with her family in search of new horizons. Her determination to continue her career in media remained unwavering. In Ottawa, she found her new home at Chin Radio Ottawa, a station that broadcasts in twenty languages, including Arabic. Paula's affiliation with Chin Radio Ottawa spans two decades, where she has been a consistent presence on the airwaves.

At Chin Radio Ottawa, Paula's daily program, covering cultural, artistic, social, and medical topics of interest to the Arab community, became a cornerstone of her career. She also took on the responsibility of presenting a global political news bulletin, showcasing her versatility as a media professional.

What sets Paula Baaklini Abou Haidar apart in her field is her unwavering commitment to principles of honesty and objectivity. In an era plagued by favoritism, lies, and slander, Paula has consistently upheld these values, becoming a beacon of integrity in the world of journalism.

With her daily broadcasts, Paula has proudly served as a vital link between her fellow Lebanese expatriates and their homeland, with a mission to preserve their traditions, culture, and customs. She believes in the importance of sharing these aspects with the wider Canadian community. Paula has effectively brought the Lebanese diaspora closer to their roots, fostering communication and sharing news that impacts them at various levels.

Paula Baaklini Abou Haidar's work goes beyond journalism; it's about preserving the cultural, social, moral, human, intellectual, and familial identity of the Lebanese community, ultimately safeguarding their rich heritage and sharing it with others.

With simplicity, pride, and love, Paula Baaklini Abou Haidar has spent nineteen years and counting as a devoted broadcaster at Chin Radio Ottawa, ensuring that her legacy as a bridge between cultures and an advocate for honesty and objectivity continues to thrive. Her life's work remains a testament to the power of media to unite, educate, and enrich the lives of those she touches.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

People have known Christa Maria Abu Akl since she was very young. She is a celebrated artist in her home country, one of the youngest vocalists with an angelic voice. She has held the title of Ambassador for the High Council for Childhood since the age of fourteen. In Canada, she is renowned for her warm voice, particularly after her participation in the Canadian edition of "The Voice," where she received an impressive 74% of the audience's votes during the quarter-finals, a record for the show in the country.

Christa Maria began her artistic journey at the age of six, initially learning to play the piano. Soon, she combined this with voice training and learned the fundamentals of singing, encouraged by her family. She performed numerous religious recitals in various regions of Lebanon and took part in summer festivals in both Lebanon and Canada. Her appearances were often accompanied by media coverage in Lebanese, Arab, and foreign media.

Christa Maria hosted several TV programs on a Lebanese station, where she conducted friendly social interviews with various artists. She also participated in many singing competitions since the age of eight, winning numerous awards and accolades.
Approximately five years ago, she left her homeland and settled with her family in Laval, Canada. She joined CEGEP and later enrolled at the University of Montreal to pursue her studies in the field of music and singing. In Canada, she participated in various singing competitions, winning awards from both the judging panel and the audience.
Her breakthrough came with her participation in "La Voix," where she reached the semi-finals. She stood out by singing in both Arabic and French and incorporating Eastern rhythms into French songs. She released her first single "hier et demain" after joining artist Corneille's music label, "maison Kanda".

Despite being in her twenties, Christa Maria harbors many dreams, and she hasn't forgotten her homeland, Lebanon, to which she has dedicated all her successes.

NCCAR is Celebrating November - Lebanese Heritage Month under the patronage of the Embassy of Lebanon, Ottawa.

كريستا ماريا ابو عقل عرفها الناس منذ نعومة أظافرها هي المصنفة في بلدها الام بأصغر المرنمات صاحبة الصوت الملائكي،والحائزة على لقب سفيرة المجلس الاعلى للطفولة منذ سن الرابعة عشرة من عمرها ، والمعروفة في كندا بصوتها الدافئ لا سيما بعد مشاركتها في برنامج أحلى صوت بنسخته الكندية والتي حصلت في رباعيات حلقاته على 74% من تصويت الجمهور وهي نسبة تحصل لاول مرة منذ تأسيس البرنامج في البلاد ما كرّسها ملكة في قلوب من احب صوتها وعزفها وحضورها الانيق.

بدأت كريستا ماريا مسيرتها الفنية،مذ كانت في السادسة من عمرها مع العزف على الة البيانو والذي سرعان ما أرفقته بدراسة تهذيب الصوت وتعلم كيفية أصول الغناءبتشجيع من أهلها، قدمت العديد من الريسيتالات الدينية في كافة مناطق لبنان كما شاركت في المهرجانات الصيفية في لبنان وكندا حتى بات الصغار والكبار ينتظرون اطلالاتها التي ترافقت مع اطلالات اعلامية عبر مختلف وسائل الاعلام اللبنانية والعربية والاجنبية.

قدّمت كريستا ماريا العديد من البرامج التلفزيونية عبر احدى المحطات في لبنان حيث حاورت العديد من الفنانين باطار طفولي اجتماعي محبب،كما شاركت في العديد من برامج المسابقات الغنائية مذ كانت في الثامنة من عمرها وحصدت الكثير من الجوائز والثناء.

تركت بلادها منذ ما يقارب الخمس سنوات واستقرت مع عائلتها في لافال،كندا وانتسبت الى ال cegepe وبعدها الى جامعة مونتريال حيث تتابع دراستها في حقل الموسيقى والغناء.

شاركت في كندا في مسابقات غنائية حصدت فيها جوائز لجنة التحكيم وجوائز الجمهور قبل ان تشارك في برنامج la voix الذي وصلت فيه الى مرحلة النصف نهائي وتميزت بغنائها باللغة العربية والفرنسية كما بادخال الايقاع الشرقي في الاغاني الفرنسية وهو ما  حقق لها نجومية واسعة لاسيما بعد انضمامها الى شركة maison kanda للفنان العالمي corneille وأصدرت اولى اغنياتها من الحانها والحان كورنييه ومن كلمات زوجته صوفي.

في جعبة ابنة العشرين عاما الكثير من الاماني هي التي لم تنسى وطنها الام لبنان والذي أهدته كل نجاحاتها.

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For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

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Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Lena Metlege Diab has distinguished herself as a dedicated advocate for cultural diversity and heritage preservation in Canada. With a deep connection to her Lebanese roots, she spearheaded the establishment of Lebanese Heritage Month in the country, officially designating November as a time to celebrate and recognize the profound contributions of Lebanese-Canadians to Canada's multicultural fabric.

Her efforts have not only enriched the appreciation of Canada's diverse cultural heritage but also fostered unity and inclusivity. Lena Metlege Diab's commitment to promoting cultural diversity and heritage preservation has left an indelible mark on the nation's cultural landscape, making her a pivotal figure in the ongoing celebration of multiculturalism in Canada.

Lena Metlege Diab is the daughter of Lebanese immigrants to Canada and the eldest of six children. Born in Nova Scotia, she was raised in Lebanon for 8 years attending École de Nazareth Kfarzeina elementary and returned to Halifax in the face of war at the age of 11.

It was by seeing how hard her parents worked to make Halifax home for her and her siblings that her lifelong commitment to nurturing resilient and supportive families and communities took root. 

Ms. Diab was first elected in 2013 to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly representing Halifax Armdale and was appointed to the Executive Council of Nova Scotia as the first female Attorney General and Minister of Justice, as well as Minister of Immigration. As Minister of Justice and Attorney General, she worked to reach a settlement outside the courtroom in the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children case, created and co-chaired the first-of-its-kind Access to Justice Coordinating Committee to make our justice system more efficient and effective, and helped launch the Court Monitored Drug Treatment Program to offer alternative sentencing to people with dependencies.

In July 2015, the Immigration portfolio became her exclusive cabinet position. Throughout her eight years in the position, she led Nova Scotia to reach record-breaking immigration numbers. Nova Scotia became the first province in Canada to take advantage of Express Entry, launching two Express Entry pilots and two new streams for immigrant entrepreneurs and international students, all while increasing retention rates. Ms. Diab also led the province’s humanitarian initiative to resettle Syrian refugees, working closely with the Government of Canada, settlement service providers, and other key partners.

She was re-elected to the Legislature on May 30, 2017, and was appointed as both Minister of Immigration, and Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie. In 2020, she was additionally appointed as Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, and held all three roles until August 15, 2021, when she secured the federal nomination for Halifax West and was elected as a Member of Parliament on September 20, 2021.

Ms. Diab is passionate about making Nova Scotia more diverse. Under her leadership on the Executive Council of Nova Scotia, the province welcomed more immigrants, strengthened its immigration programs, and built global networks. She worked diligently and tirelessly for the Acadian and Francophone communities of Nova Scotia with a focus and dedication to developing a Nova Scotia Francophone Immigration Action Plan. 

In her role as Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, Ms. Diab promoted the Acadian and francophone language, culture, and heritage on the provincial, national, and international stage. She created a Francophone and Acadian advisory committee to provide advice and information directly to her on issues that are important to Nova Scotia’s Acadian and francophone community. In this role, she also worked with the state of Louisiana to advance an agreement to collaborate across multiple sectors, including economic development, education, training, research, tourism, arts, and culture. Additionally, she was a member of the CMFC, a Ministerial intergovernmental organization on the Canadian Francophonie that brings together federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie to address issues and maintain a dialogue favourable to the development of public policies strengthening linguistic duality in Canada.

Since her election at the provincial level in 2013, Ms. Diab has been member of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), an association of the parliaments of Francophone countries. From July 2019 to August 2021, she served as Chargée de mission de la Région Amérique de l’APF, working closely with representatives from several states.

Prior to entering politics, she had a successful legal career for over 20 years. Her passion was providing effective advice to individuals, businesses, not-for-profits, and charities (communicating with clients in 3 languages: Arabic, English, and French). As a practicing lawyer, she was an active member for many years with the Association des Juristes d'expression française de la Nouvelle-Écosse (AJEFNE), an association dedicated to promoting the accessibility of French legal services. She was also instrumental at that time in the development of several Youtube videos on immigration and Family Law.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Saint Mary’s University, and a Masters of Public Administration and a Law degree from Dalhousie University.

Ms. Diab was the first female President of the Canadian-Lebanon Society of Halifax (1993) and served seven terms as President thereafter, accomplishing many important milestones. She has also served on the Residential Tenancies Board.

In her current role as a Member of Parliament, Ms. Diab serves on several parliamentary groups, including as a Vice-Chair of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group (CEUS).

She also sits on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research and serves as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

In Parliament, she has been a strong voice for her over 100,000 constituents, and successfully led the effort to have November designated as Lebanese Heritage Month at the national level.

She has received numerous honours and accolades, including the designation of King’s Counsel.

Her personal values are rooted in respect for diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and fairness.  She is the proud mother of four children and has five grandchildren.

NCCAR is a not-for-profit charitable organization based in Ottawa, dedicated to fostering greater understanding and knowledge among Canadians about the cultural, historical, and socio-economic realities of the people of the Arab world.

Want to support NCCAR? Donate Now!

Your support is vital for our mission. By clicking this link Canadahelps.org you can make a donation today and join us in our journey towards positive change.

For more information about NCCAR and our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.nccar.ca.  Media Contact: NCCAR Communications Email: [email protected] or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @NCCAR_.

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