The Canadian Race Relations Foundation has developed Our Canada as a three-year initiative to heighten awareness, understanding and respect for Canadian values and traditions. It will culminate in the historic opportunity to celebrate these values and traditions as part of Canada's Sesquicentennial in 2017. The Canadian Government's focus on highlighting milestones of Canada's history from Confederation to the present time presents an opportunity for the CRRF to pay tribute to, and celebrate, our collective pride in our diversity, and our multicultural and democratic principles.
The CRRF has identified the opportunity to further Canadians' understanding of, and respect for, Canadian values and traditions by engaging people throughout Canada in discussions and activities that recognize diversity as a national asset, and promote core Canadian values and civic engagement as everyone's contribution to building a stronger country. Our Canada will effectually construct a national framework for dialogue on Canadian values and promote a deeper sense of identity for all Canadians.
Our Canada will leverage the CRRF's online resource capabilities, which were enhanced in 2014 with a robust online bibliographic search capacity. The project will also build on the achievements of Interfaith & Belonging – A Civic Education and Engagement Initiative.
Beginning with the release of the CRRF's Report on Canadian Values, which includes a national survey, expert interviews and research conducted on currently existing studies on values, Our Canada will seek to deliver programs and products across the country that raise awareness and consciousness of the shared values of all Canadians.
The initiatives being designed under the project include:
Several additional programs are also being planned to enhance project outcomes.
Our Canada will work closely with a Leadership Circle consisting of representatives from organizations, who have been selected for their expertise, knowledge and outreach capabilities. Together with the Leadership Circle, Our Canada will establish an awareness and understanding of Canadian values and identity that are reflective of Canadian diversity and inclusive of the perspectives of Aboriginal Peoples, Francophones and newcomers.
Our Canada will lay the groundwork for building a harmonious society made up of multiple cultures, faiths and ethnicities, working and living side by side, as we celebrate Canada's Sesquicentennial and the next 150 years.
Looking for a printable version of the CRRF's Our Canada Project? Download the Our Canada 2015-2017 booklet.