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RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2016 are announced

posted on June 22, 2016

By Canadian Immigrant Magazine |

Room author Emma Donoghue and Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan have been named among the 8th annual RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, along with several other artists, academics entrepreneurs and champions of many worthy causes.

By Canadian Immigrant Magazine |

Room author Emma Donoghue and Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan have been named among the 8th annual RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, along with several other artists, academics entrepreneurs and champions of many worthy causes.

Presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine and sponsored by RBC, this annual awards program celebrates the achievements of inspiring Canadian immigrants. A true illustration of the diversity Canada represents, this year’s winners originally hail from Ireland to Sri Lanka to Nigeria, and now make their home in communities across Canada.

Each winner has made a positive economic, social and cultural impact to Canada, and while many of them are internationally renowned for work in their respective fields, just as many are pillars in their local community.

“This year’s group of 25 winners is an inspiring and eclectic mix that showcases the diverse talent that immigrants bring to Canada,” says Margaret Jetelina, editor of Canadian Immigrant magazine. “We at Canadian Immigrant magazine are very proud that, over the eight years of this awards program, we have now recognized 200 amazing immigrants as Top 25s. And we have honestly just scratched the surface of immigrant talent in Canada.”

The Top 25 will be honoured at ceremonies in Toronto today, and in Vancouver on June 23. The program is proudly supported by title sponsor RBC Royal Bank. One of the winners will be presented with an additional award by RBC for individual achievement in entrepreneurship. Christians Izquierdo, owner of DevFacto Technologies, is the second annual recipient of the RBC Entrepreneur Award for excellence in entrepreneurship.

“Every winner that we are celebrating today has dared to dream,” said Christine Shisler, senior director, Multicultural Markets, RBC. “Those dreams didn’t end just because they packed a suitcase and arrived in Canada. It was only the beginning. Being recognized as an RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant is a moment to reflect on the journey of patience, persistence and determination. I’m proud to say that RBC has been helping newcomers to Canada for over 145 years and we will continue to honour this legacy.”

The RBC Top 25 award winners will receive a commemorative plaque and a $500 donation will be made toward a registered Canadian charity of their choice. The full list of 25 winners is featured here at canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25 and in the July print edition of Canadian Immigrant magazine.

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