Government of Canada Funds the Citizenship Council of Manitoba
WINNIPEG, January 12, 2000 -- The Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), and the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, Manitoba, today announced funding of $44,600 to the Citizenship Council of Manitoba. This funding will enable the Council to carry out its project to raise awareness of issues related to race relations and cultural diversity, and to increase the participation of new citizens in Canadian society."I am proud to support this project whose goal is to offer first-generation Canadians the opportunity to take an active part in society and to strengthen their sense of belonging to Canada," said Dr. Fry. "We must all work together to create a society in which respect, equality and diversity prevail. This grant reaffirms the Government of Canada's commitment to achieving a higher quality of life for all Canadians."
"Government of Canada support is essential to sustain the good work of grassroots organizations like the Citizenship Council and the International Centre of Winnipeg, who are working on the frontlines to help ease the transition of new immigrants into our communities," said Minister Axworthy.
Established in 1969, the Citizenship Council of Manitoba's International Centre is the province's main immigrant settlement agency. It is also a much-needed meeting place, information centre and hub of activity for hundreds of first-generation Canadians in Winnipeg.
The purpose of this project is to enhance the diversity training for the Centre's 800 volunteers; to promote the Centre as a place for intercultural dialogue; to foster positive inter-group relationships with increased programming focusing on dialogue and networking; to extend testing of the Department of Canadian Heritage's Citizenship Participation Initiative modules; and to continue activities around March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, in concert with the Department of Canadian Heritage's annual March 21 campaign.
The funding was provided by the Multiculturalism Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Funding for this project was provided for in the February 1999 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Thoren Hudyma
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900
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