Diversity is Canada’s strength and a cornerstone of our national identity. Still, many Canadians face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in society. Today, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, 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. A key pillar of the strategy is the establishment of a new Anti-Racism Secretariat that will lead a whole-of-government approach in addressing racism and discrimination. The strategy, with an investment of $45 million, has been designed to support the following three principles:
- Demonstrating Federal Leadership: The Government of Canada must take a leading role in addressing systemic racism and discrimination when found to exist within our federal institutions and in public policies, programs and services.
- Empowering Communities: Funding to support racialized communities, religious minorities and Indigenous Peoples on the ground who have expertise in addressing various forms of racism and discrimination.
- Building Awareness and Changing Attitudes: To increase awareness of the historical roots of racism and discrimination, and their impacts on communities and Indigenous Peoples.
