Canadian Race Relations Foundation

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Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Native name
Fondation Canadienne des relations raciales
Company type
Toronto, ON
M3C 1Z5
Key people
  • Teresa Woo-Paw, Chairperson[1]
  • Mohammed Hashim, Executive Director (CEO)[2]
Agency overview
Annual budget
Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
Parent departmentCanadian Heritage
Key document
Websitehttp://www.crrf-fcrr.ca/en/

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF; French: Fondation Canadienne des relations raciales, FCRR) is a charitable organization and Crown corporation responsible to foster racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding and help to eliminate racism in Canada.[4]

The foundation was officially opened in November 1997 as part of the

Governor in Council by recommendations from the Minister of Canadian Heritage, currently Steven Guilbeault.[5][6] (Previously, such advice came from the Minister for Multiculturalism, last held by Jason Kenney.)[6][7]

As an

arms-length organization, the CRRF has Special NGO Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.[4]

History

In 1988, an agreement was reached between the

Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement, which acknowledged that the treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after World War II was unjust and violated principles of human rights. The federal government apologized on behalf of Canadians for such actions and provided compensation to those Japanese-Canadian families who were wronged.[8][9][3]
: 6 

The NAJC also negotiated:

endowment fund to establish what would become the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.[3]
: 6 

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act (Bill C-63) received royal assent on 1 February 1991 and proclaimed by the Government on 28 October 1996. The Foundation was officially opened in November 1997.[8][3]: 6 

Current activities

  • CRRF Roundtables: The CRRF holds a series of roundtables across Canada, engaging people with discussions on race relations and multiculturalism in Canada. These events are open to the public.[10]
  • We Are Canada: A photo project that focus on stories of community leaders associated with visible minorities and out-of-Québec francophones. Thirty-one people were interviewed.[11]
  • Community Mobilization Fund: A fund program by the CRRF that provides grants from $5,000 to $20,000 for anti-racism projects across Canada. The grant's largest sponsor is Sun Life, who contributed $60,000. In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent demonstrations, the CRRF received $300,000 in donations from various sources.[12]
  • Awards:[13]
    • The Awards of Excellence are held biennially to highlight the 'best practices' achievements of organizations.
    • Established in 2003, the CRRF Award for Lifetime Achievement purposes to "acknowledge and honour individuals who promote the principles outlined in the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act."
    • The Community Champion Special Award recognizes "exemplary Canadians who have made an outstanding contribution to their community."
  • Mobilizing municipalities: In 2010, the CRRF partnered with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to hold forums that were to focus on "Mobilizing Municipalities to Address Racism and Discrimination."[14]
  • EDIT project: With the collaboration of Images Interculturelles and the CRRF, the Conseil des relations interculturelles of Quebec developed the EDIT project.
    ethnocultural diversity management and equity
    capacity practices.

Canada Lecture

In 2010, the CRRF introduced Canada Lecture, an annual event inviting "accomplished Canadians to raise awareness and understanding of critical issues related to racism and racial discrimination and creating social harmony in our society."[16]

Previous lectures have included:[16]

Public service announcements

The CRRF is involved in the development of three 30-second public service announcement (PSA) television spots in 8 languages that have been broadcast on OMNI-TV since 25 February 2010, with production wholly funded by Rogers OMNI Television. The theme of these PSAs is to "see people for who they really are: Unite Against Racism Campaign." The eight languages used for the PSA includes Cantonese, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil, and Urdu.[citation needed]

According to Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President of Rogers OMNI Television, the "impact of making key anti-racism messages available to multilingual audiences is an important step towards building an inclusive and accepting Canadian society." She adds that, "OMNI is privileged to contribute, participate and make a difference in these aspirations." The PSAs are used in the largest multimedia anti-racism campaign in Canada.[citation needed]

Research projects

The CRRF undertakes research, collects data, and develops a national information base to further an understanding of the nature of racism and racial discrimination in Canada. As such, the Foundation has established a niche for research projects that are not traditionally funded by the federal government.[17]

The Foundation does not provide core funding to any organization but will support specific outreach/education initiatives.

Heritage Canada as a key community resource in the national effort to address racism.[18]

The CRRF also publishes a journal, titled Directions, which publishes one research article per issue, providing "community-based, action-oriented research, commentary, and perspectives on eliminating racism and discrimination."[19]

Organization

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation operates at

arm's length from the government and is registered as a charitable organization. It is led by a board of directors and constitutes various staff members as well as volunteers.[8]

The foundation was partly founded by the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC), who negotiated a contribution of $12 million on behalf of its community.

endowment fund that would establish the CRRF.[8]

Employees/volunteers

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is administered by a board of directors consisting of a chair and up to eleven other directors appointed by the federal government.[21] The selection process is coordinated by the Prime Minister's Office, based on recommendations by the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

As the CRRF operates at arms length from the government, its employees are not part of the Federal Public Service.[8] The CRRF hires staff from time-to-time, but has a small staff and therefore few hirings. The Foundation also takes student placements and volunteers on a case-by-case basis.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Appointments", Government of Canada, November 2, 2016, retrieved November 12, 2016
  2. ^ "Board of Directors".
  3. ^ a b c d "2019-2020 Annual Report," CCRF. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Canadian Race Relations Foundation. 2010 March. "The Canadian Race Relations Foundation marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination." Cision.
  5. ^ Canadian Race Relations Foundation website Archived December 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b McGregor, Janyce (7 November 2015). "Justin Trudeau's cabinet: 6 changes found in the fine print". CBC News. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  7. ^ "Hakim Feerasta appointed to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation" ISMAILIMAIL (2010 March 23)
  8. ^ a b c d e "About Us". Canadian Race Relations Foundation. Archived from the original on 2015-09-14. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  9. ^ Justice Canada - Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act Archived June 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "CRRF Roundtables". www.crrf-fcrr.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  11. ^ Priyatharsan, Suvaka. "About We Are Canada Project". www.crrf-fcrr.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  12. ^ "Community Mobilization Fund". www.crrf-fcrr.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  13. ^ "National Conference & Awards". www.crrf-fcrr.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  14. ^ Ontario Human Rights Commission Official Website http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/resources/news/vaughn/view
  15. ^ http://www.imagesnet.org/#l2
  16. ^ a b CRRF. "The Canada Lecture". www.crrf-fcrr.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  17. ^ "New appointments to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation," Canadian Immigration and Citizenship (2010 Mar 19).
  18. ^ a b "Canadian Heritage - News Releases / Statements". www.pch.gc.ca. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011.
  19. ^ CCRF. "Directions Journal". www.crrf-fcrr.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  20. ^ "NAJC.ca". NAJC.ca. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  21. ^ Canada, Government of. "Organization Profile - Canadian Race Relations Foundation". www.appointments-nominations.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2017-06-16.

External links

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