Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Encyclopedia
Canadian Race Relations Foundation is a Canadian government agency
responsible to foster racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding and help to eliminate racism
. The foundation was opened in November 1997, after receiving royal assent
on February 1, 1991. The Foundation operates at "arms length" from the government and is a registered charity. The Foundation is led by a board of directors
appointed by the federal government as selected by the Prime Minister's Office by recommendations from the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism)
The agency was formed as a result of an agreement between the federal government and the National Association of Japanese Canadians called the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement which acknowledged that the treatment of Japanese Canadians
during and after World War II
was unjust and violated principles of human rights
. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation, CRRF is a charitable organization
that concentrates on fostering racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding within the country with the purpose of eliminating racism. The foundation was opened on November 1997 and continues to be an important leader against racism today. CRRF is led by a board of directors
and constitutes various staff members as well as volunteers. The foundation was partly founded by the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) who negotiated a contribution of $12 million on behalf of its community. The Government of Canada
matched that amount to establish CRRF.
. The foundation’s purpose is to “foster racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding and help to eliminate racism”. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation operates at arm’s length with the government and is registered as a charitable foundation. The CRRF’s employees are not part of the Federal Public Service.
In 2009 the Canadian Race Relations Foundation has confronted many challenges due to the economic downturn. Consequently, the CRRF has had to redesign some of their programs including temporarily suspending the “Initiatives Against Racism” program. The foundation therefore recently redesigned some of its programs to fulfill its mandate and maximize the delivery of its services. The foundation decided to focus on rationalization and streamlining of activities and projects, and increased partnerships with like-minded institutions. One major change was the temporary suspension of the "Initiatives Against Racism" program by replacing it with a series of round table discussions.
The foundation aims to be a “leading and authoritative voice and agent in the struggle to eliminate racism in all its forms and to promote a more harmonious Canada”.
television spots into eight languages. These spots have been broadcasted on OMNI-TV since February 25, 2010. The theme of these PSA is to "see people for who they really are: Unite Against Racism Campaign". The eight languages used for the PSA reflects the linguistic diversity of the increasing Canadian immigrant population and includes spots in Cantonese
, Italian
, Mandarin Chinese, Polish
, Portuguese
, Spanish
, Tamil
and Urdu
. The whole production was funded by Rogers OMNI Television. “The impact of making key anti-racism messages available to multilingual audiences is an important step towards building an inclusive and accepting Canadian society,” says Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President of Rogers OMNI Television, which has fully funded the production of the PSAs. "OMNI is privileged to contribute, participate and make a difference in these aspirations." The PSAs are used in the largest multimedia anti-racism campaign in Canada.
In partnership with the National Film Board of Canada, various mockumentaries about racism in the workplace "Work for all" have been released on http://www.nfb.com. Work for All is produced by the National Film Board of Canada with the Participation of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
as a key community resource in the national effort to address racism.
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation offers education and training services with their ET Centre (Education and Training Centre). This centre provides diversity and human rights education and training within an anti-racism agenda. The services provided through the center can be either public or private and works through a variety of workshops and other activities. The CRRF has partnered with the Equity and Leadership Institute to provide experimental training with issues regarding emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.
The organization also sponsors the "Policy Program" whose purpose is to develop and analyze policies in regards to the CRRF’s strategic direction. This direction concentrates on being a leader in the struggle to eliminate racism in all its forms, both nationally and internationally. The policy development program also prepares briefs to their partners and facilitates stakeholder engagement in the organization.
The day-to-day operations are managed by the Executive Director, who serves as a non-voting member of the Board. All of the foundation’s Directors come from all areas of Canada and bring a diversified cultural heritage and expertise.
The CRRF hires staff from time-to-time, but has a small staff and therefore few hirings. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation also takes student placements and volunteers on a case-by-case basis.
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
responsible to foster racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding and help to eliminate racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
. The foundation was opened in November 1997, after receiving royal assent
Royal Assent
The granting of royal assent refers to the method by which any constitutional monarch formally approves and promulgates an act of his or her nation's parliament, thus making it a law...
on February 1, 1991. The Foundation operates at "arms length" from the government and is a registered charity. The Foundation is led by a board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
appointed by the federal government as selected by the Prime Minister's Office by recommendations from the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism)
Secretary of State (Canada)
Secretary of State was a title given to some Ministers of State in the Government of Canada sitting outside Cabinet from 1993 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2008. Secretaries of State were members of the ministry and the Queen's Privy Council for Canada...
The agency was formed as a result of an agreement between the federal government and the National Association of Japanese Canadians called the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement which acknowledged that the treatment of Japanese Canadians
Japanese Canadians
Japanese Canadians are Canadians of Japanese ancestry, and are mostly concentrated on the west coast, and central Canada, especially in and around Vancouver and Toronto. In 2006, there were 98,900 .- Generations :...
during and after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
was unjust and violated principles of human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation, CRRF is a charitable organization
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
that concentrates on fostering racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding within the country with the purpose of eliminating racism. The foundation was opened on November 1997 and continues to be an important leader against racism today. CRRF is led by a board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
and constitutes various staff members as well as volunteers. The foundation was partly founded by the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) who negotiated a contribution of $12 million on behalf of its community. The Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
matched that amount to establish CRRF.
History of organization
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation opened its doors in November 1997, following the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act on October 28, 1996. The Act came about after the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement in which the Government of Canada acknowledges that the treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after WWII was unjust and violated principles of human rightsHuman rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. The foundation’s purpose is to “foster racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding and help to eliminate racism”. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation operates at arm’s length with the government and is registered as a charitable foundation. The CRRF’s employees are not part of the Federal Public Service.
In 2009 the Canadian Race Relations Foundation has confronted many challenges due to the economic downturn. Consequently, the CRRF has had to redesign some of their programs including temporarily suspending the “Initiatives Against Racism” program. The foundation therefore recently redesigned some of its programs to fulfill its mandate and maximize the delivery of its services. The foundation decided to focus on rationalization and streamlining of activities and projects, and increased partnerships with like-minded institutions. One major change was the temporary suspension of the "Initiatives Against Racism" program by replacing it with a series of round table discussions.
Mission statement
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation mission entails “providing leadership in the building of a national framework for the struggle against racism in Canada; providing advance understanding of the past and present causes and manifestations of racism; providing independent national leadership and serve as a resource and facilitator in the pursuit of equity, healing, fairness and justice in Canada; contributing to Canada’s voice in the international struggle against racism”.The foundation aims to be a “leading and authoritative voice and agent in the struggle to eliminate racism in all its forms and to promote a more harmonious Canada”.
Current activities
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation holds various activities in order to bring awareness to racial struggles within Canada.Public service announcements (PSA)
One current activity is the development of three 30-second public service announcementPublic service announcement
A public service announcement or public service ad is a type of advertisement featured on television, radio, print or other media...
television spots into eight languages. These spots have been broadcasted on OMNI-TV since February 25, 2010. The theme of these PSA is to "see people for who they really are: Unite Against Racism Campaign". The eight languages used for the PSA reflects the linguistic diversity of the increasing Canadian immigrant population and includes spots in Cantonese
Cantonese
Cantonese is a dialect spoken primarily in south China.Cantonese may also refer to:* Yue Chinese, the Chinese language that includes Cantonese* Cantonese cuisine, the cuisine of Guangdong province...
, Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, Mandarin Chinese, Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
, Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
, Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
and Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
. The whole production was funded by Rogers OMNI Television. “The impact of making key anti-racism messages available to multilingual audiences is an important step towards building an inclusive and accepting Canadian society,” says Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President of Rogers OMNI Television, which has fully funded the production of the PSAs. "OMNI is privileged to contribute, participate and make a difference in these aspirations." The PSAs are used in the largest multimedia anti-racism campaign in Canada.
In partnership with the National Film Board of Canada, various mockumentaries about racism in the workplace "Work for all" have been released on http://www.nfb.com. Work for All is produced by the National Film Board of Canada with the Participation of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
Mobilizing municipalities
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation has partnered with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to hold forums that will focus on “Mobilizing Municipalities to Address Racism and Discrimination”. The forums’ purpose is to bring together many municipal officials and community and university representatives to introduce a manual to confront racism and discrimination. "As our society continues to change, Canadian municipalities have a leading role to play in promoting a strategy of inclusiveness where all members can live in harmony and diversity," says Ayman Al-Yassini, Executive Director of the CRRF.EDIT project
With the collaboration of Images Interculturelles and the CRRF, the Conseil des relations interculturelles of Quebec developed the EDIT project. The EDIT project is an audit tool for organization who desire to foster, stimulate and increase their growth. The project uses a Human Resources participation point system for organizations to measure at various levels their business model, their ethnocultural diversity management and equity capacity practices.Research projects
The CRRF has established a niche for research projects that are not traditionally funded by the government. The Foundation has a program that provides funding of up to $7,500 for Initiatives Against Racism to support projects aimed at a broad public audience. Funding support for anti-racism initiatives is provided through the CRRF's Research and Initiatives Against Racism programs. The CRRF does not provide core funding to any organization but will support specific outreach/education initiatives. The CRRF is also consulted by officers from the Multiculturalism program at the Department of Heritage CanadaHeritage Canada
The Heritage Canada Foundation , also known as Heritage Canada , is a registered charity with the mandate to encourage the protection and promotion of the built, natural, historic, and scenic heritage of Canada...
as a key community resource in the national effort to address racism.
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation offers education and training services with their ET Centre (Education and Training Centre). This centre provides diversity and human rights education and training within an anti-racism agenda. The services provided through the center can be either public or private and works through a variety of workshops and other activities. The CRRF has partnered with the Equity and Leadership Institute to provide experimental training with issues regarding emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.
The organization also sponsors the "Policy Program" whose purpose is to develop and analyze policies in regards to the CRRF’s strategic direction. This direction concentrates on being a leader in the struggle to eliminate racism in all its forms, both nationally and internationally. The policy development program also prepares briefs to their partners and facilitates stakeholder engagement in the organization.
Current organization features
The CRRF holds an Awards of Excellence Program who recognizes public, private or voluntary organizations whose "efforts represent excellence and innovation in combating racism in Canada". This award recognizes best practices and is part of an educational program sponsored by the CRRF.Employees/volunteers
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is administered by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chair and up to nineteen other directors appointed by the federal government. The selection process is coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office, based on recommendations by the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism).The day-to-day operations are managed by the Executive Director, who serves as a non-voting member of the Board. All of the foundation’s Directors come from all areas of Canada and bring a diversified cultural heritage and expertise.
The CRRF hires staff from time-to-time, but has a small staff and therefore few hirings. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation also takes student placements and volunteers on a case-by-case basis.
Funding
In order to establish the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) negotiated a contribution of $12 million on behalf of its community. The contribution was matched by the Government of Canada to create a $24 million endowment fund to the CRRF.External links
- Japanese CanadiansJapanese CanadiansJapanese Canadians are Canadians of Japanese ancestry, and are mostly concentrated on the west coast, and central Canada, especially in and around Vancouver and Toronto. In 2006, there were 98,900 .- Generations :...
- Japanese Canadian internmentJapanese Canadian internmentJapanese Canadian internment refers to confinement of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia during World War II. The internment began in December 1941, following the attack by carrier-borne forces of Imperial Japan on American naval and army facilities at Pearl Harbor...
- National Film Board (Canada) http://nfb.com
- Immages Interculturelles (French) http://www.imagesnet.org/#l2
- Media Awareness http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/recommended/web_sites/race_relations_foundation.cfm
- http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2010/19/c3520.html
- Canadian Immigration and Citizenship http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2010/2010-03-19.asp
- http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2010/2010-03-19.asp
- http://www.appointments-nominations.gc.ca/prflOrg.asp?OrgID=FIC&lang=eng
- http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/hakim-feerasta-appointed-to-the-canadian-race-relations-foundation/