TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 18, 2011) - Canadian Immigrant magazine, in partnership with RBC, has kicked off the voting for the third annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrant awards.

Canadians can go online at www.canadianimmigrant.ca/top25 until April 15, 2011, to cast their vote for their favorite candidate among the 75 finalists, who represent diverse ethnic communities and cultures across Canada.

All voters are automatically entered to win one of ten $100 Visa gift cards provided by RBC Royal Bank. Full contest rules are available at www.CanadianImmigrant.ca/top25.

More than 20,000 Canadians voted in last year's awards program. Among the winners were Olympic gold medalist Donovan Bailey, Senator Vivienne Poy and "Raffi," the children's entertainer of "Baby Beluga" fame. The program serves to uncover and celebrate the inspiring stories and remarkable achievements of Canadian immigrants from all walks of life who strive to make this country a better place.

"Everyone nominated has touched the lives of others in some way. Nominators took the time to share the stories of immigrants they believe are deserving of recognition," says Margaret Jetelina, editor, Canadian Immigrant. "The 75 finalists now shortlisted are an inspiring mix of people who have each made a difference to Canada in their own way. We can't wait to find out who gets voted in as the Top 25."

The 2011 awards program was launched in November 2010 with a call-for-nominations phase that garnered hundreds of submissions over a three-month period.

"These awards recognize individuals from all walks of life, who have come to Canada and made a difference. These individuals are extraordinary," said Camon Mak, director of RBC Multicultural Markets. "We encourage you to go online and vote for the new Canadian in your life that is truly making a difference."  

The Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2011 will be announced in May. They will receive a commemorative plaque and a $500 donation from RBC toward an authorized Canadian charity of their choice.

The program is also supported by the Toronto Star, Metro and Sing Tao.

ABOUT Canadian Immigrant Magazine and canadianimmigrant.ca

Attracting more than 325,000 readers each month in print and online, Canadian Immigrant Magazine helps new Canadians build a successful life and home during their first years in Canada. Its mandate is to inform, educate and motivate and connect by providing hands-on, easy-to-access content for newcomers looking for information, from careers, education and settling-in, to culture, money and business. The monthly print publication is distributed in Toronto and Vancouver. Canadianimmigrant.ca offers tools and resources that help newcomers across Canada and the globe. Canadian Immigrant Magazine is a division of Star Media Group, which is broadly based with interests in print, digital and broadcast media, led by its flagship property, the Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper, which is read in print and online (thestar.com) by 2.8 million readers every week.

ABOUT RBC

Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We are Canada's largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking and transaction processing services on a global basis. We employ approximately 79,000 full- and part-time employees who serve close to 18 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 50 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.