MESSAGE
FROM THE MEAAC CHAIR
Cultural
diversity has become a prominent feature of the demographic landscape in the province
of Manitoba. Peoples particularly from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and
Latin America have found Canada an attractive country for the purpose of
pursuing their own life projects because it provides its citizens with the
benefits of freedom, equality of opportunity, and social justice.
Two major challenges come with cultural
diversity, however. When cultural differences exist among peoples within a
society, attainment of social harmony becomes problematic; when minority
cultural groups aspire for full participation within institutions developed by
the mainstream population, broadening opportunities to accommodate them becomes
a real issue.
Fortunately, the province of Manitoba remains faithful to
the Canadian policy of multiculturalism, which is intended to address these
challenges. Its Statement of Government
Policy for a Multicultural Society (1990) proclaims its commitment to the
principles of cultural retention, equality, and harmony. The creation of the
Manitoba Ethnocultural Advisory and Advocacy Council (MEAAC), consisting of
sixteen (16) elected and five (5) government-appointed members, signifies its
intent to promote these principles and thereby to address the major problems
posed by cultural diversity. Since its creation in 2001, MEAAC has given advice
and recommendations to the government on matters affecting the ethnocultural
communities in the province, particularly in the areas of anti-racism,
education, human rights, immigration, settlement, linguistic diversity, and
cultural heritage.
The task of ensuring societal harmony, even as efforts are
made to encourage and support cultural retention and to accommodate the rights
and entitlement of minority cultural communities in Manitoba, is a huge one.
Nonetheless, MEAAC’s first term of three years, under the admirable leadership
of Mr. John Jack, has shown that significant progress can be made. We, who have
been elected or appointed to the current Council, face the challenge of making
further progress in pursuing our mandate.
Needless to say, our success requires the support and
cooperation of cultural communities. We aim to reach them and we sincerely
invite members of these communities to meet and dialogue with us. Together, we
can contribute toward the serious and adequate implementation of the policy of
multiculturalism in our beloved province.
Please receive our greetings and best wishes.
Dr. Romulo F. Magsino
MEAAC Chair.
Manitoba Ethnocultural Advisory and Advocacy Council (MEAAC)
Manitoba
Ethnocultural Advisory & Advocacy Council Act
Role & Mandate of Council
Council & Standing
Committee Meetings
Standing Committees
MEAAC Council Members
Contact
MEAAC!
Download the MEAAC
Newsletter and Brochure
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Manitoba
Ethnocultural Advisory & Advocacy Council
Act
The Manitoba
Ethnocultural Advisory and Advocacy Act was enacted on July 6, 2001 to
establish a multicultural advisory council.
Following election and nomination processes, council members were elected and
appointed in November 2001. Subsequent elections and appointments occur every
three years.
The council consists of up to 21 members — 16 members elected by Manitoba
ethnocultural organizations and five appointed by government. The term of a
member is three years and no member may serve more than two successive terms.
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Role & Mandate of Council
The role of the Manitoba Ethnocultural Advisory and Advocacy Council is to
advise government on issues important to the ethnocultural community. The
mandate of the council is to advocate on behalf of Manitoba’s ethnocultural
community and provide information, advice and recommendations to government,
through the minister, on all ethnocultural matters in the province. This
includes, but is not restricted to, antiracism, education, human rights,
immigration, settlement, cultural linguistic diversity and heritage
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Council & Standing
Committee Meetings
The council meets at least six times a year and all standing committees meet on
a regular basis. The council also meets with the minister once every six
months.
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Standing Committees
Council initiated six standing committees and encourages representation on
these committees from members of the ethnocultural community. The standing
committees examine issues raised by government or ethnocultural communities and
recommend action in the following areas:
Antiracism - examine issues about human rights, race relations, diversity,
equity and discrimination.
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity - recommend responses on cultural and
linguistic diversity matters and heritage language issues within ethnocultural
communities
Education - consider education policy, programs and position papers and
advise government about education issues
Immigration & Employment - consider issues about immigration and
employment and advise the minister about these issues — work collaboratively
with the Manitoba Immigration Council on policy development and issue
response
Outreach - help organize council’s annual open house — help develop
information about ethnocultural policies for Manitobans — work with council
and its standing committees to support and organize outreach activities
Youth - listen to issues and priorities of youth — encourage
youth’s participation in their respective ethnocultural communities and the
wider community
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MEAAC Council Members
Dr. K C Asagwara
Ms. Marla Braga
Mr. Graham Buckingham
Ms. Linda Casar
Ms. Maureen Cruz
Mrs. Zofia de Witt
Ms. Alice Fan
Ms. Marusia Foster
Mrs. Patsy Grant
Dr. Madhu Gupta
Dr. Ezzat Ibrahim
Ms. Carmen Infante
Mr. John Jack
Dr. Romulo Magsimo
Mr. Glenn McVicor
Mr. Abdoulaye Ndiaye
Mr. Daniel Negussie
Mr. George Penner
Ms. Christina Semaniuk
Ms. Rose Tilbrook
Ms. Beatrice Watson |
![](/web/20061123011218im_/http://gov.mb.ca/labour/immigrate/multiculturalism/img_4172.jpg)
Dr. Romulo Magsimo
Chairperson, MEAAC |
![](/web/20061123011218im_/http://gov.mb.ca/labour/immigrate/multiculturalism/pic_council.JPG) |
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Interested
in knowing more about MEAAC or providing feedback to MEAAC standing committees?
Does your community have a story to tell? Have an event to
share?
Contact MEAAC!
4th Floor-213 Notre Dame Ave
Winnipeg MB
R3B 1N3
(204) 945-2339 Tel
Toll Free: 1-800-665-8332
(204) 948-2323 Fax
E-mail: meaac@gov.mb.ca
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Download the
MEAAC Newsletter and Brochure.
MEAAC Brochure 2005
(English PDF version)
MEAAC Brochure 2005 (French PDF version)
MEAAC
Newsletter – edition 001 - Fall 2005 (English Word version)
MEAAC Newsletter – edition
001 - Fall 2005 (English PDF version)
MEAAC
Newsletter – edition 001 – Fall 2005 (Version Français Word)
MEAAC Newsletter – edition
001 – Fall 2005 (Version Français PDF)
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