New anthology features immigrant stories, including the origins of New Canadians

A new anthology, Old Roots, New Shoots, by the Immigrant Writers Association, brings together stories of resilience, creativity, and achievement from immigrants across Canada—each with unique perspectives on building a new life in a new land. Twelve writers explore their unique narrative of starting afresh, blending past experiences with hopes for the future. Among these voices is our founder Gerard Keledjian, who narrates the origins of our New Canadians TV show, and how this one-and-only immigrant-focused television program in Canada empowers newcomers with information and community connections as they navigate Canadian life.

10 years of New Canadians TV show

In his chapter, titled Navigating New Horizons, Gerard reflects on the origins of the New Canadians TV show, which is entering its 10th season (2024-25) on air on OMNI Television, Canada’s biggest multicultural channel. He writes about his early days in Canada and his inspiration to launch an immigrant-serving show, Introducing Toronto, when he volunteered at Rogers TV, which formed the foundations that would later become the origins of New Canadians.

“The community channel had approved the show for 2012-13, and committed to providing resources for me to produce six episodes… I intended to use this ‘Canadian experience’ as a stepping stone to secure a job with one of the Canadian news channels. Having left a successful career of over 12 years in the broadcast news industry in Beirut and Dubai, this local portfolio was essential to relaunching my career in Canada. However, the universe had other plans. When the TV show received an overwhelmingly positive response from new immigrants and the agencies serving them, it made me realize that what I had created would shape my Canadian life and career for years to come. I was working on something special and impactful.”

While Gerard had found his calling, turning his dreams into reality meant overcoming several challenges over the years—from securing initial funding to sustain the TV show alongside his daytime job to facing the toughest obstacle yet: adapting the programming amid the unprecedented challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted countless businesses. “The world just froze… Everything was closed, and we were unable to film anything. We also lost our first major sponsor. We had many plans for how we wanted to use that funding, and losing it was devastating.”

However, from this adversity came the opportunity to innovate, and New Canadians TV Network’s first virtual talk show, Café New Canadians, was born. 

What’s in store for New Canadians TV Network in the future? “I know where to go next,” says Gerard, fuelled by a desire to continue making a positive impact on newcomers navigating their new lives!

About the anthology: Old Roots, New Shoots

If you would like to read Gerard’s full chapter and stories by other immigrants to Canada, you can buy your copy of Old Roots, New Shoots. This latest anthology – the sixth by the Immigrant Writers Association – is a collection of fiction, poetry and non-fiction, featuring French contributions for the first time. It encapsulates the journeys of immigrants who, like tree roots, have sought new soil in Canada, nurturing their dreams and talents as they flourish in their new home. Contributors are from diverse backgrounds in different countries, including Bangladesh, Iran, Lebanon, the UAE, Congo DR, Ghana, Burundi, Nigeria, the UK, Poland, Romania, France, Ukraine, China, and the United States.

This is Gerard’s second contribution to the anthology series: his first was in the third edition, Moving Forward, in which he shares his experiences and struggles in finding a job as a newcomer to Canada that put him on the path to putting together the origins of New Canadians. 

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