The Government of Canada Invests More Than $2.2 Million in Alberta for Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Activities

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (Edmonton Mill Woods), announces funding for organizations in Alberta that promote diversity, inclusion and capacity building

EDMONTON, Sept. 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Guided by a vision of an inclusive and equitable country, the Government of Canada is committed to supporting organizations that show leadership in building stronger communities, celebrating multiculturalism and combatting racism.

Today, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (Edmonton Mill Woods), announced an investment of $2,290,971 in 26 organizations that encourage diversity and promote inclusion across Alberta. Minister Sohi made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.

Funding has been provided through the Community Support for Black Canadian Youth Initiative, as well as the Events, Projects and Community Capacity Building components of the Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program.

Among the many organizations receiving funding are the Alliance Jeunesse-Famille de l'Alberta Society, the Sik Ooh Kotoki Friendship Society, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights and the Portail de l'Immigrant Association de Calgary.

In June 2019, Minister Rodriguez unveiled Building a Foundation for Change: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022, which helps advance the Government of Canada's vision of fostering and promoting a more inclusive and equitable country for all Canadians. The strategy, with an investment of $45 million, is building on current efforts to create long-term changes in supporting communities and for improved policies, initiatives and practices in our federal institutions. These investments are meant to be the first step of a longer-term commitment and a foundation for change in addressing racism and discrimination in Canada. Applications for new funding opportunities became available on September 3, 2019.

Budget 2018 also provided $19 million to enhance local community supports for Black Canadian youth. Of this funding, $9 million was allocated to Canadian Heritage over three years and $10 million was allocated to the Public Health Agency of Canada over five years to develop research in support of more culturally focused mental health programs in Black Canadian communities.

Quotes

"Our government is committed to empowering communities with the tools, resources and opportunities they need to better serve and meet the diverse needs of Canadians, and to breaking down the systemic barriers that racialized communities face in fully participating in Canadian society. We are proud to join Alberta's organizations in strengthening multiculturalism and combatting racism. By promoting intercultural exchange and fostering respect for cultural diversity, we are building a more equitable and integrated Canada."

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

"By breaking down barriers, we can build stronger and more inclusive communities. I have seen first-hand the dedication and resilience shown by these organizations, who are working to make our province an even better place to live and raise a family. This funding from our government will allow them to continue their important work on behalf of all Albertans."

—The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (Edmonton Mill Woods)

"Investments in the CSMARI Program and Community Support for Black Canadian Youth Initiative will have a long lasting positive outcome on the communities they support. As well as bringing the community together, these investments, once again, showcase how diversity strengthens our cities, provinces and country."

—The Honourable Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre)

"Diversity is our strength. These projects will help develop and support resilient and dynamic communities across Alberta. I look forward to seeing all that these groups will achieve with these community investments."

—Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament (Edmonton Centre)

"We are delighted to receive this funding from the Government of Canada that will increase the social and economic skills of young Black Francophones in Alberta. This funding will be used to equip Francophone youth of African descent to participate fully and effectively in the socio-economic development of the community and to break the stereotypes that surround them."

—Luketa M'Pindou, Executive Director, Alliance Jeunesse-Famille de l'Alberta Society

Quick Facts

The goal of the Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives (CSMARI) Program is to build an integrated, socially cohesive society by building bridges to promote intercultural understanding; promoting equal opportunity for individuals of all origins; and promoting citizenship, civic engagement and a healthy democracy.

The CSMARI Program has three funding components: Events, Projects and Community Capacity Building. It also includes two separate initiatives, Community Support for Black Canadian Youth Initiative and the Paul Yuzyk Youth Initiative for Multiculturalism.

The Events component provides funding to community-based events that foster one or more of the following: intercultural or interfaith understanding; civic memory and pride; respect for a healthy democracy; and celebrations of a community's history and culture.

The Projects component provides funding for community development, anti-racism initiatives, and engagement projects that promote diversity and inclusion by encouraging positive interaction among community groups through projects that encourage positive interaction between cultural, religious and ethnic communities in Canada; and promote the expression of Canadians' multiple identities.

The Community Capacity Building component provides funding for capacity-building projects that will contribute to the recipient's ability to promote diversity and inclusion, and help achieve one or more of the following objectives: strengthening governance and building partnerships (building the capacity of organizations, and promoting collaboration between service providers); e-capacity (building and/or strengthening the online and social media presence of eligible organizations); establishing an overall external communication strategy; and recruitment and training of volunteers.

The Community Support for Black Canadian Youth initiative provides funding for projects that address the unique challenges faced by Black Canadian youth through combating discrimination through awareness raising and digital literacy; providing opportunities for Black Canadian youth and empowering them through the promotion of Black history, culture and identity; and developing leadership skills and promoting civic engagement.

In June 2019, the Government of Canada unveiled Building a Foundation for Change: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2019-2022 to help advance the vision of fostering and promoting a more inclusive and equitable country for all Canadians. Budget 2019 announced an investment of $45 million to support this Strategy.

Related Products

The Government of Canada Announces New Funding for Black Canadian Youth

Minister Rodriguez Announces Building a Foundation for Change: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022

Associated Links

Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program 

Building a Foundation for Change: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022

Backgrounder

Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program

Events Component

City	Organization	Project	Amount
Brooks	Association francophone de Brooks	Franco Festival 2019	$5,000
Calgary	Fairytales Presentation Society	The 21^st Annual Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival Presents the Treaty 7 Film Collective 2019 Shorts Package and 'Deep Inside Clint Star' 20-year Retros	$5,250
Calgary	Portail de l'Immigrant Association de Calgary	Franco Festival Calgary	$15,000
Calgary	Pride Calgary Planning Committee	Pride Calgary: QTBIPOC Event Program	$50,000
Cold Lake	Lakeland Multicultural Association	Folktales: A Community Storytelling Festival	$3,000
Edmonton	Canadian Art and Leisure Association	Equal Regard	$10,000
Edmonton	Edmonton Heritage Festival Association	Edmonton Heritage Festival	$64,594
Falher	Honey Festival Committee	Falher 100^th Anniversary (Honey Festival)	$18,000
Glenevis	Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation	Nakota Strong Music Festival	$32,315
Lethbridge	Lethbridge Public Library	The Word on the Street Festival	$15,000
Lethbridge	Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society	Sik-Ooh-Kotoki 50^th Anniversary Celebration - International Pow Wow and Indian Relay	$66,984
Lloydminster	Catholic Social Services	Learning and Information Session About Diversity and Inclusion in Lloydminster: Reconciliation Through Education and Understanding	$6,900
Okotoks	Alberta Recreation and Parks Association	Okotok Indigenous River Camp	$50,000
Red Deer	Red Deer Native Friendship Society	National Aboriginal Day Conference and Waskasoo Seepee Traditional Pow Wow	$58,850
Smoky Lake	Métis Crossing Ltd.	Voyageur Days: A Celebration of Diversity	$17,500
TOTAL:			$418,393

Projects Component

City	Organization	Project	Amount
Calgary	Centre for Newcomers Society of Calgary	Hidden Treasures: We are all Immigrants	$90,000
Calgary	Coalition for Equal Access to Education Society	Deconstructing Racism as a Barrier to Quality Education	$90,000
Calgary	CommunityWise Resource Centre	Addressing Racism in the Non-Profit Sector	$90,000
Calgary	Unganisha	UNGANISHA: Explore. Connect. Dance & the Diaspora and Community Engagement	$80,000
Edmonton	Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues	Tipi Teachings	$96,332
Edmonton	John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights	Stride Advocacy	$220,950
Siksika	Siksika Health Services	Awahkiyapsopokiiyiks Family Program & Cultural Advisors Group	$120,000
TOTAL:			$787,282

Community Capacity Building Component

City	Organization	Project	Amount
Calgary	Portail de l'Immigrant Association de Calgary	Renforcement des capacités du PIA	$55,000
TOTAL:			$55,000

Community Support for Black Canadian Youth Initiative

City	Organization	Project	Amount
Brooks	Association francophone de Brooks	Promotion de la culture du bénévolat chez les jeunes noirs à Brooks et ses environs	$125,120
Edmonton	Action for Healthy Communities Society of Edmonton	Empowering Black Girls	$258,555
Edmonton	Alliance Jeunesse-Famille de l'Alberta Society	La Jeunesse Francophone Africaine - Réalise Tes Rêves	$436,621
Edmonton	Governors of the University of Alberta	A Participatory Project to Improve Economic Outcomes, Community Belonging and Leadership Skills of Black Youths in Alberta	$90,000
Edmonton	Sinkunia Community Development Organization-Edmonton Association	African Youth Mentoring and Cultural Celebrations Project	$120,000
TOTAL:			$1,030,296

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

(media only), please contact: Simon Ross, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]

Related Links

www.pch.gc.ca