Newer Canadians Toasting Canada When Bora and Selmin Hinçer and their two young sons left Turkey for Canada, 1979, the temperature was plus 20 degrees Celsius. When they arrived in Toronto, the same day, the temperature was minus 20 degrees Celsius! They looked at each other and exclaimed “Will we survive here?” Selmin Hinçer brought with her, to Canada, a B.Sc., Pharmacy. To work in Canada as a pharmacist, however, she had to complete further courses and pass exams. Upon completing these requirements, 1983, she began practicing her profession in Kingston, Ontario, where today she is the head pharmacist at one of the largest drug store chains in Kingston. Bora came to Canada with a B.A., Sociology, from the University of Istanbul, where he was a marketing manager for a large company. Upon entering Canada, he quickly established his own business, Ephesus Trading, specializing in import, whole-sale, and retail marketing. Active in Turkish-Canadian rela-tions, Bora is Past President, Federation of Canadian Turkish Associations. As a freelance writer, his articles and editorials have been published in many urban centres. A member, as well, of The Kingston Whig-Standard Community Editorial Board, one article that Bora wrote celebrating Canada Day (1997), states that “the country I was born in is like my mother, and I love her. Canada, on the other hand, is like my wife. I love her too. I had no control over being the son of my mother, but I have chosen my wife and will spend all of my life with her. Canada, my darling, Happy Birthday.” Bora and Selmin’s sons are both successful Turkish Canadians. Ilkim studied Law, and currently works as a corporate lawyer for a large downtown Toronto law firm. Ilke, who won most public speaking contests he ever entered, currently is working for a national newspaper in Toronto and is an aspiring actor. In this view, left to right, Ilke, Bora, Selmin, and Ilkim Hinçer of Kingston, Ontario, toast their good fortune and family health. [Photo, courtesy Bora Hinçer]

Businessman Motivated by Volunteerism Born, Sakarya, Turkey, Turan Kalfa, following high school grad-uation, 1978, took to the high seas and worked as a navigator on merchant ships before docking permanently in Canada, 1984, retiring as a sea merchant. Over the next several years, Turan experimented in the restaurant business, worked in a bagel factory, was in the security guard business, and even tried direct marketing before settling, Montreal, 1985. While studying computer programming, Concordia University, Turan started a truck pick-up and delivery service business. By 1994, age 33, he had created one of the largest independent moving van lines in Canada. At the same time, he successfully went into the business of self-storage. By 1996, Turan had sold his moving company to concentrate on developing his thriving self-storage business. Today, Turan has six major locations in Quebec, with 15 partners. The company is now the largest of its kind in Quebec, proving the old adage that one has to make and lose money three times before making it big time.... Volunteerism is a big part of Turan’s life. Proud father of two young daughters, Turan is a Past President, Friendly Anatolians of Montreal Association, 1993-94. He was President, Kentspor Soccer Team, 1995. He was also Vice-President, Turquebec Culture and Friendship Association, 1996-97. As Member, Political Action Committee, Turan, since 1996, has been part of a team successfully lobbying for the creation of a Peace Garden, year 2000, for the Botanical Gardens of Montreal. The Founder, Turkish Info Line, which has translated all Canadian immi-gration laws into Turkish, Turan Kalfa financially backed the posting of this translation on the Internet, making such material available to help newcomers from Turkey adjust to Canadian society. Winner, Best Business Award for Self-Storage in Montreal, 1996-1999, and prominent candidate for Canadian Turkish Businessman Award, 2000, Turan is destined to become the first Turkish Canadian to run successfully for politics. In this view, Turan, left, greets Jean Charest, centre, Leader, Liberal Party of Quebec, at a Liberal Fundraising Gala, Montreal, 1998. Also present is Yusuf Kutlu, President, Turquebec, and Fadima Houda-Pepin, Liberal M.P. [Photo, courtesy Yusuf Kutlu]