Combatting systemic racism and discrimination in Canada

“The Diversity Employment Network will address the very high prevalence of unemployment, under-employment, low income, and poverty within the African-Nova Scotian community, specifically the challenges accessing higher quality jobs due to discrimination, perceived or real, and a lack of diversity in most workplaces and boards of directors. This work would not be happening without the support from the federal government’s Anti-Racism Action Program.”

“Racism, especially systemic racism, undermines our economic potentials, our social cohesion, our cultural vitality, and more importantly, our core values. Strong leadership from our federal government with adequate resources to combat racism will give us the tools and the faith to move forward together and continue the task of nation building.”

“There are more members and supporters of hate groups in Canada today than a generation ago. They are hurting many communities across Canada with their violence and harassment campaigns. Unfortunately, these movements are growing. Today, Canada is taking a meaningful step to counter and contain these hate movements. With this new funding, we will strengthen our capacity in carrying out the public service of monitoring, reporting on, and thereby countering hate groups. This anti-racist work is critical to protect people in Canada who are targeted because of their race or religion, gender expression, sexual orientation, or disability.”

“Justice for Girls is very pleased to receive funding through this anti-racism initiative, which will help us advance Indigenous young womens’ and girls’ access to justice, education and employment, and strengthen institutional responses to violence against Indigenous girls. Systemic racism is a serious problem in our country and we are proud to be a part of an initiative to combat racism and discrimination in the lives of Indigenous young women and girls.”

“Equitas is delighted to work very closely with community partners, schools, and municipalities in Quebec and across Canada with this funding to amplify the voices of Black and Indigenous youth, young people of color, as well as newly arrived youth to Canada. Through human rights education, young people will take action in their communities to raise awareness about racial justice and to counter racism. These young people will be at the heart of the actions taken to build more inclusive communities across Canada.”

“The Black Community Resource Centre appreciates the fact that we have received funding for the In The Know Too (2) project. We believe that this project is very timely and necessary in the current social context. By providing information about the law, legal processes and legal rights and responsibilities when one interacts with the various systems, we seek to increase the legal literacy of individuals in the Black and other minority communities and give them access to advice and services that can help them understand and navigate these systems.”

"The Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies is pleased to have the support of the Government of Canada in confronting one of the oldest and most persistent forms of hate, which is anti-Semitism. We look forward to finding solutions to deal with the surge of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial on social media platforms."

“To create a community where everyone can fully participate and have an equal opportunity to succeed, we must address the historical roots of racism and discrimination that impact racialized and religious minority communities. This includes systemic and institutional racism that exists in many workplaces, in education, healthcare institutions, and our communities. ICA’s Tools for Equity training program will address racial disparities and employment barriers faced by immigrants, refugees, and communities of colour in the Capital Regional District.”

“Through outreach and education we can equip minority women with the confidence and skills needed to thrive and positively contribute to Canadian communities. We are humbled and grateful to accept the support of the federal government's Anti-Racism Action Program. With this funding, we will continue to empower women to overcome barriers faced due to race or religious identities.”

“Pride in Art thanks Canadian Heritage for this contribution toward our continued work programming QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) artists and curators at the Queer Arts Festival and SUM gallery, at this time Canada’s only gallery mandated for queer art. By interrupting the cyclical narrative of exclusion, we increase work experience, income and influence for QTBIPOC curators and artists. We shift the culture to understand QTBIPOC identity not as a mark of disenfranchisement, but as a site for creative self-authorship. When we, as an organization mandated specifically for 2SLGBTQ+ art, present engaging and critically acclaimed programming with 80 percent or more QTBIPOC artists, we demonstrate that arts presenters with more broadly defined mandates should be easily able to achieve diverse programming.”

View all testimonials