The Government of Canada is Proud to Pay Tribute to Quebec's First Black Police Officers
MONTRÉAL, February 19, 2000 -- The Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State, (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), today joined the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) in paying tribute to Quebec's first Black police officers at a special ceremony organized in Montréal in conjunction with Black History Month."The hiring of the country's first Black police officers is a significant symbol from the standpoint of the recognition of individuals of all origins in Canadian society and the elimination of cultural stereotypes. The Government of Canada fully encourages such initiatives, which are helping to make Canada a country in which justice and respect prevail," noted Dr. Fry.
CRARR will also take advantage of this ceremony to underscore, among other things, the contribution of Dr. Fry and six federal civil servants to the integration of a number of ethnocultural communities into various institutions, thus promoting cultural diversity. These individuals have also helped elaborate projects aimed at heightening awareness among police officers of pluralism.
Several organizations will come together for this tribute to celebrate cultural diversity, which is one of the federal government priorities. Here are a few among them: the Montreal Urban Community Police Force, Human Resources Development Canada, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE - USA), the Centre Ha•tien de Regroupement et d'Intégration à la Société Canadienne et Québécoise. (CHRISOCQ) and UNESCO.
Information:
Alain Fisette
Communications
Canadian Heritage
(514) 283-1544
Thoren Hudyma
Communications Assistant
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900
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