Government of Canada Announces Funding for the Guelph and District Multicultural Centre
GUELPH, December 6, 2002 -- Brenda Chamberlain, Member of Parliament (GuelphÑWellington), on behalf of Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Jean Augustine, today announced funding of $143,050 for the Guelph and District Multicultural Centre's Guelph-Wellington Hate Crimes Project."Expressions of hate have no place in Canadian society," said Ms. Chamberlain. "Through initiatives like the Guelph-Wellington Hate Crimes Project, we can build a Canada wherein acts of hatred and racism are eliminated."
The Guelph and District Multicultural Centre will lead the development of a broad-based community initiative that will respond to cultural conflict, racism, and hate motivated activities. The project will help increase awareness and will provide training and self-help resources to victims and victim groups. It will encourage the active participation of area ethno-cultural, racial, and religious groups, through the creation of a diversity network. The network will create an awareness of anti-hate legislation and will encourage the reporting of racism and hate-motivated crimes to law enforcement agencies.
Canada's Multiculturalism Policy, which falls under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, promotes full and equitable participation in Canadian society of people of all origins, as well as interaction between individuals and communities of different origins. It also encourages public institutions to be respectful and inclusive of Canada's multicultural
character.
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Naline Rampersad
Press Secretary
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900
[ Media Room ]
