Greek Canadians say they are anxious for the future of their homeland after the citizens of the beleaguered country decisively voted ânoâ in a historic referendum.
The results of Sundayâs vote in Greece prompted mixed reaction from people gathered to watch the results in Greek restaurants in Montreal and Toronto.
While some with family still in Greece are worried about what the future holds, many said they are pleased with the vote outcome.
âA âyesâ I think would have been a complete catastrophe,â said George Giannou, a Greek Montrealer. âSo the ânoâ at least opens the door to something completely new to happen.â
Many in Montreal said relatives in Greece were at their witsâ end ahead of the vote, which followed tense negotiations in Europe.
âWhen I speak to my family in Greece, they all told me the same thing: âWe have nothing to lose,ââ after the vote. âWe canât keep up with getting more cuts.â
Athens believes rejecting the measures will strengthen its position, which will, in turn, allow for a better deal.
But some Greek-Canadians donât think new negotiations are possible.
âBrussels made them an offer, and theyâre not going to make them better one,â one Montrealer said. âSo where are they going to find the money â Russia, China?â
Many also fear this will push Greece out of the Eurozone.
John Antonaras said the blame for poor state of Greeceâs economy should first fall on the country itself.
âWhat are they going to do now,â Antonaras said. âWe have to first blame ourselves, and after, the rest.â
Antonaras added: âWe are alone right now.â
Alex Alexakis, vice-president of Krinos Foods, says Canadian businesses that import goods from Greece are also worried that the countryâs economic problems will have a ripple effect across the Atlantic.
âWe have plenty of stock for a couple of months, but if the situation is not resolved soon, weâre going to have an issue, of course,â Alexakis said Monday.
Germany and France say they will respect the results of the referendum, but what that means for Greece is still unclear.
George Fotopoulos, a chef at a Greek restaurant in Toronto, said the countryâs uncertain future has left him worried for his family living there.
âI call them every day, as a matter of fact,. âItâs very tough.â
But Fotopoulos is optimistic for the future.
âIt will take some time, but things will go back to normal.â
With a report by CTV Montrealâs Natalie Nanowski and CTV Torontoâs Ben Mercer