In the coming year, HispanosEnCanada.ca via MercadoNews.com will take on the question of who Hispanics are in Canada. A young, talented and blooming community has caught the attention of many in Canada. So who are we? That may be an existentialist question, but after some careful analysis, the question has yet to be answered. While we wait for Statistics Canada to release updated statistics (April 2008) on how many Hispanic or Spanish speaking people are in Canada, that has yet to define who we are.
For who we are is not necessarily how many we are, but rather what we do and/or how we contribute to society in Canada and in the world. However to keep this short article in perspective, we will only discuss our identity here in Canada.
Recently, Factor Hispano, one of our media partners held an event. "10 Most Influential Hispanics", which may shed some light in the accomplishments of a group of Hispanics in Ontario, rather than Canada. The event, in a nutshell has created some controversy as some criticisms revolve around the idea of whether or not all Hispanics across Canada did participate. In either case, the event did trigger a very important concept in all growing communities, which is identifying the leaders within it - to give the community direction, act as the "elders" we seek guidance from and most of all to inspire the community’s young and future leaders.
Our Hispanic Community is seeking its leaders as we further integrate into Canadian Society. In all societies, and perhaps human culture as defined anthropologically we are what we learn from our immediate environment as for the culture of leaders, we learn how to lead from those who have already led - Young leaders always intend on doing it better.
All natural leaders understand that, it is rare to be loved by all. There will always be "haters" sort of speak. It is up to all of us to define what is "hate" and what is constructive. This process takes time and has already begun. Factor Hispano's event represented in theory a more transparent process of selecting leaders within our community - from the much blundered "Premios Somos" of which the community felt that the winners purchased their nomination and prize - a non-transparent process at very least.
In either case, 10 Most or Premios Somos; represent attempts by a growing community to select its leaders, however this process takes time as it involves Hispanics from across Canada to participate.
In order to select leaders, whether in our immediate household, city, province, soccer teams, unions, etc., the need for participation is key and the most important part of any selection process. Even in the last few elections, both in the US and in Canada, you will notice an increase of "hip" type ads to encourage Generation Y (those born in the 80s), who are old enough to vote - to cast vote. All leaders recognize the importance of the participation of all its constituents, which is where we are at now.

Mercado News has created a public forum as a national communication tool to hear voices from Hispanics across Canada and the world. Participation is the first step of any process that seeks out leaders - the second step is defining what we want as a community.
Rod A. Ponce, MBA
Editor for MercadoNews.com