Greek Canadians say they are anxious for the future of their homeland after the citizens of the beleaguered country decisively voted 鈥榥o鈥� in a historic referendum.
The results of Sunday鈥檚 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.
鈥淎 鈥榶es鈥� I think would have been a complete catastrophe,鈥� said George Giannou, a Greek Montrealer. 鈥淪o the 鈥榥o鈥� at least opens the door to something completely new to happen.鈥�
Many in Montreal said relatives in Greece were at their wits鈥� end ahead of the vote, which followed tense negotiations in Europe.
鈥淲hen I speak to my family in Greece, they all told me the same thing: 鈥榃e have nothing to lose,鈥欌�� after the vote. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 keep up with getting more cuts.鈥�
Athens believes rejecting the measures will strengthen its position, which will, in turn, allow for a better deal.
But some Greek-Canadians don鈥檛 think new negotiations are possible.
鈥淏russels made them an offer, and they鈥檙e not going to make them better one,鈥� one Montrealer said. 鈥淪o where are they going to find the money 鈥� Russia, China?鈥�
Many also fear this will push Greece out of the Eurozone.
John Antonaras said the blame for poor state of Greece鈥檚 economy should first fall on the country itself.
鈥淲hat are they going to do now,鈥� Antonaras said. 鈥淲e have to first blame ourselves, and after, the rest.鈥�
Antonaras added: 鈥淲e are alone right now.鈥�
Alex Alexakis, vice-president of Krinos Foods, says Canadian businesses that import goods from Greece are also worried that the country鈥檚 economic problems will have a ripple effect across the Atlantic.
鈥淲e have plenty of stock for a couple of months, but if the situation is not resolved soon, we鈥檙e going to have an issue, of course,鈥� 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 country鈥檚 uncertain future has left him worried for his family living there.
鈥淚 call them every day, as a matter of fact,. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very tough.鈥�
But Fotopoulos is optimistic for the future.
鈥淚t will take some time, but things will go back to normal.鈥�
With a report by CTV Montreal鈥檚 Natalie Nanowski and CTV Toronto鈥檚 Ben Mercer
