Minister Rodriguez Meets with Organizations in British Columbia to Discuss Multiculturalism Issues

Canadian Heritage is providing $30 million in funding for various community-led multicultural projects across Canada

VANCOUVER, Aug. 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Today the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, met with members of various cultural communities and organizations in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, British Columbia, to discuss important issues related to multiculturalism, including how best to combat the racism and discrimination that these communities face.

During the meeting, Minister Rodriguez also discussed the additional funding available through the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives (CSMARI) Program, as well as funding available for Black Canadian youth. Minister Rodriguez advised participants of Canadian Heritage's initiatives to address racism and discrimination, promote diversity, as well as efforts to support diverse communities, Indigenous Peoples and Black Canadian youth.

In July 2018, Canadian Heritage announced $21 million in funding under the CSMARI program for three additional streams to strengthen communities and support anti-racism initiatives across the country. The new streams include funding for projects, events and community capacity-building initiatives for groups across Canada.

Canadian Heritage also announced $9 million in new funding to enhance community support for Black Canadian youth to address the significant and unique challenges faced by the Black Canadian community. This initiative funds projects that promote Black history, culture and identity; help youth develop leadership skills and encourage their involvement in their local community. Those interested in applying for funding under this new initiative can contact Canadian Heritage at [email protected] for more information.

Quotes

"Our government firmly believes that we are strong not in spite of our differences, but because of them. This is why we are proud to have more than doubled funding to support projects and events that combat racism and discrimination and celebrate our many cultural communities."

?The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

Quick Facts

Budget 2018 announced $9 million for Canadian Heritage to enhance community support for Black Canadian youth at risk, and $21 million in new funding over two years to tackle racism and discrimination across three funding streams.

The three streams include a Projects component to fund community-led activities that work to eliminate discrimination, racism and prejudice; an Events component to fund local activities promoting intercultural and interfaith interaction and understanding, as well as celebrations of a community's history and culture; and a Community Capacity Building component to fund projects that will help recipients promote diversity and inclusion by strengthening the online and social media presence of organizations, establishing their communication strategies as well as enabling them to recruit and train volunteers.

The Community Support for Black Canadian Youth program provides funding for projects addressing the unique challenges faced by Black Canadian youth.

Canada is continuing to combat the inequity and exclusion that prevents full opportunities and participation for Canadians.

The Government of Canada remains committed to meaningful, evidence-based and community-involved whole-of-government initiatives in the pursuit of equality and growth for all Canadians.

Equity needs to be cultivated and protected. Racism and discrimination cannot be tolerated. Still today, too many Canadians have to deal with barriers related to their identities.

Associated Links

Community Support to Black Canadian Youth -  [email protected]

SOURCE Canadian Heritage