Through the Anti-Racism Action Program, the Government of Canada is investing $15 million to fund 85 anti-racism projects that aim to remove systemic barriers faced by racialized communities, religious minorities, and Indigenous Peoples.
On October 15, through a Zoom press conference, The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, announced that the Government of Canada is providing $15 million for 85 anti-racism projects across the country, which will address barriers to employment, justice, and social participation among Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, and religious minorities.
The funding is to tackle anti-Racism Projects Across the Country, strengthen diversity and inclusion, encourage and promote a more inclusive society, where everyone is able to participate fully.
“Through Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, introduced in 2019, we are funding projects to combat racism in all of its forms. These projects will help address the systemic barriers that are preventing Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, and religious minorities from participating fully and equitably in all aspects of society. We will continue our work as allies and partners with racialized communities to combat racism as we build a better and more consciously inclusive society,” The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth
“Too many Canadians continue to face racism, discrimination, and inequality every day. The support provided through the Anti-Racism Action Program will help community-based organizations implement projects that confront racism and discrimination, promote intercultural and interfaith understanding, and foster equitable opportunities to participate fully in Canadian society,” Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport)
“The Diversity Employment Network will address the very high prevalence of unemployment, under-employment, low income, and poverty within the African-Nova Scotian community, specifically the challenges accessing higher quality jobs due to discrimination, perceived or real, and a lack of diversity in most workplaces and boards of directors. This work would not be happening without the support from the federal government’s Anti-Racism Action Program,” Rustum Southwell, Chief Executive Officer, Black Business Initiative
“Justice for Girls is very pleased to receive funding through this anti-racism initiative, which will help us advance Indigenous young womens’ and girls’ access to justice, education and employment, and strengthen institutional responses to violence against Indigenous girls. Systemic racism is a serious problem in our country and we are proud to be a part of an initiative to combat racism and discrimination in the lives of Indigenous young women and girls, ” Zoe Craig Sparrow, Co-Director of Justice for Girls
Alberta Projects Funded
Organization: Reach Edmonton Council
Title: Action Alberta Communities Responding to Hate
Description: This project will combat online and in-person hate directed at Indigenous, racialized and religious minority communities in Alberta, particularly in rural areas.
Funding Amount: $255,000
Organization: Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary
Title: To be determined by an Indigenous Elder
Description: The AFCC will deliver an independent research project focused on assessing the functioning and efficacy of the recently established Calgary Indigenous Court.
Funding Amount: $55,000
Organization: African Canadian Civic Engagement Council
Title: Advance Youth Leadership Academy – AYLA
Description: The objective of the project is to address anti-Black racism in the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), which can lead to systemic barriers and the over-representation of African Canadian Black (ACB) youth in the justice system.
Funding Amount: $146,000
Organization: MacEwan University
Title: FOR THE GROWTH OF THE GAME: Addressing Racial Discrimination in Hockey
Description: This project will increase and strengthen research evidence, as well as increase the availability and accessibility of data, evidence and community insights regarding the barriers that racialized individuals face when participating in the sport of hockey.
Funding Amount: $65,000
Organization: Red Deer Urban Aboriginal Voices Society
Title: Youth Peace Camp Initiative
Description: This multilayered project will grow into a mobile response structure that will provide cultural awareness workshops and community conversations in a small city that continues to struggle with issues of racism and discrimination, particularly during the recent financial recession in Alberta.
Funding Amount: $125,000
Organization: Town of Strathmore
Title: Aawotoahka
Description: This project will support the Town of Strathmore in addressing historical and ongoing racism against the Indigenous community, particularly the Siksika First Nation, which is the second largest reserve in Canada and neighbours Strathmore.
Funding Amount: $260,000
Organization: Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service
Title: Re-Designing Our Relationship with Indigenous Communities
Description: This project will design and deliver a comprehensive cultural training program for Alberta law enforcement agencies and other representatives in the justice system that will challenge and dispel stereotypes of Indigenous Peoples and address unconscious biases.
Funding Amount: $215,000
For more information of projects funded from across Canada, please click here
