Multiculturalism

What is Multiculturalism?

Multiculturalism has been a fundamental element in the make-up of Canada since its beginnings. For information and discussion, we offer a couple of brief documents at What is Multiculturalism.

What publications are available on Multiculturalism and how do I order them?

There is a great deal of material available at our Resource Centre. If you wish further details, please e-mail: NHQ-SN-Multi@cic.gc.ca.

Where can I get recent statistics on Multiculturalism in Canada?

There are a number of recent studies on our website at Statistics on Multiculturalism in Canada.

Where do I find research documents on Multiculturalism?

Information on documents funded by our Program, as well as other items of interest are available at: Publications and Research Page.

Where can I get resource tools on Multiculturalism?

There are many possibilities to be found on our page of Links.

Does the Multiculturalism Program have any posters or other materials for school events?

We do – contact NHQ-SN-Multi@cic.gc.ca for further information.

How do I find more information on multicultural organizations?

Many organizations are listed on our page of Links. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact us at NHQ-SN-Multi@cic.gc.ca.

Where can I apply for funding a project?

Information on criteria for funding are at Application Guidelines for Funding.

What is Inter-Action?

The Multiculturalism Grants and Contributions Program has been rebranded as Inter-Action, which has a Projects and an Events stream.

• Projects – Focus on long-term, multi-year projects that promote building an integrated, socially cohesive society. Applications will normally be accepted through a Call for Proposals (CFP) process.
• Events – Focus on supporting and promoting small community-based events. Applications will be accepted year-round for events grants without a CFP process.

Why did you change the name of the program?

The new name recognizes the importance of making connections between Canada’s many diverse communities. Inter reflects our overall policy objective of building an integrated society by strengthening intercultural and interfaith understanding, while action reflects the types of projects the program supports i.e., concrete, community-based and action-oriented.

Have the terms and conditions for grants and contributions changed?

Yes, the terms and conditions (T&C) for the Multiculturalism Program were revised to ensure the program reflects the new policy objectives. Private-sector applicants are now eligible under the new T&C. New project assessment criteria were added.

What are Inter-Action’s new objectives?

There are three objectives:

1. Building an integrated, socially cohesive society by fostering intercultural understanding, citizenship, civic memory, civic pride, respect for core democratic values and equal opportunity for Canadians of all origins.
2. Improving the ability of public institutions to respond to the needs of a diverse population.
3. Actively engaging in discussions of multiculturalism and diversity at the international level. (Mostly, funding for this objective will be for activities that take place in Canada.)

Where can I find out what "civic memory," "civic pride" and "core democratic values grounded in our history" really mean?

Civic memory and civic pride refer broadly to knowledge of Canadian history, institutions and democratic values, i.e., democracy, freedom, rule of law and human rights.

Discover Canada, the new citizenship test study guide, provides good background on the concepts of civic memory, civic pride and core democratic values.

Why were the Program’s objectives changed?

They were changed to better address the challenges and opportunities that Canada faces today. Evidence suggests that Canadians lack knowledge of our history and institutions and what intercultural and interfaith understanding, civic memory and civic pride actually mean. Also, while cultural and religious diversity increases in Canada, racism, discrimination and economic disparity persist. Inter-Action addresses these challenges by supporting activities that strengthen social cohesion.

What kinds of applicants are eligible to apply for funding?

Applications for Projects can be submitted by:

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations or associations
• Canadian public or public-interest institutions, such as boards of education, schools, colleges and universities, chambers of commerce, law enforcement and police agencies, hospitals and health-care institutions
• Regional and municipal governments
• First Nations and Inuit governments, band councils and Aboriginal organizations
• Private-sector applications are acceptable if there is at least one not-for profit partner providing financial or in-kind support
• Canadian citizens or permanent residents

Applications for Events can be submitted by:

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations
• Canadian incorporated and unincorporated municipalities and townships with a population of up to 10,000
• Aboriginal organizations

How will applicants know if they should apply for grants or contributions?

For Projects, Inter-Action decides if funds are provided as a grant or a contribution depending on the size and complexity of the project and the applicant’s ability to carry out the project successfully.

For Events, all funding assistance will be in the form of grants.

What is the maximum amount of funding that can be sought?

The amount of recently funded regional projects has ranged from $25,000 to $1.4 million. Actual funding amounts will be based on such factors as project duration, planned activities, scope of individual projects and funding from other sources. Other factors, including funding availability depending on the number of applications, will also be taken into consideration.

The maximum funding available per proposal under the Events stream is $15,000.

How long will it take to receive a response to my proposal?

Projects proposals will be acknowledged no later than seven days after the Call for Proposals closes.

Applicants will be advised of their eligibility no later than 30 business days from the date of the acknowledgment letter from CIC.

Within 90 business days of being advised of their eligibility, applicants will be notified of the funding decision and whether any additional processing time will be required.

Events proposals will be acknowledged within seven business days of receipt of the proposal.

Normally, a funding decision will be provided to the applicant within 60 business days after the acknowledgment date, or the applicant will be notified if any additional processing time is required.

For effective event-planning purposes, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at least 90 business days (18 calendar weeks) before the proposed event date.

Why did you establish priorities under the projects stream?

Priorities ensure that proposals received under a specific Call for Proposals are relevant to policies in place at that time, thus ensuring an effective response to Canada’s changing diversity.

What are the priorities of this first Call for Proposals?

Priority will be given to project proposals where one or more of the following groups are primary beneficiaries:

• Youth
• Youth-at-risk
• Faith communities or organizations
• Immigrants

and/or where one or both of the following themes are the focus:

• Citizenship rights and responsibilities
• Facilitating positive interaction among different cultural, ethnic and faith-based communities in Canada

Why are you using a Call for Proposals process for Projects?

A Call for Proposals reduces the time needed to review proposals and offers a more focused and rigorous approach to national and regional needs and issues. The first CFP will accept applications from June 27 to October 15, 2010.

What kinds of activities are eligible for funding under the Projects stream?

Activities eligible for funding under the Projects stream include:

• Mentorships and unpaid internships
• Skills development initiatives for project beneficiaries
• Network and partnership development
• Leadership and volunteerism initiatives
• Knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Conferences (eligible for contributions funding only)
• Meetings, events and workshops as part of a larger initiative
• Development of educational materials as part of a larger initiative
• Development of programs, policies and services related to diversity and integration

Can Multiculturalism Program officers continue to support and guide applicants in developing their funding applications?

Yes, they may continue to work with applicants to help them develop partnerships and prepare (though not actually write or edit) proposals. However, after a proposal is submitted, program officers can contact applicants only if required documents are missing.

What is the difference between objectives and priorities?

Inter-Action’s objectives are:

1. Building an integrated socially cohesive society
2. Improving the responsiveness of institutions to the needs of a diverse population
3. Actively engage in discussions on multiculturalism and diversity at the international level

While objectives are longer-term, beneficiary and thematic, the priorities established for each Call for Proposals help ensure policy relevance and responsiveness. For this Call for Proposals, priority will be given to proposals that involve one or more of the following as primary beneficiaries:

1. Youth
2. Youth-at-risk
3. Faith communities or organizations
4. Immigrants

And/or that focus on one or both of the following themes:

1. Citizenship rights and responsibilities
2. Facilitating positive interaction among different cultural, ethnic and religious communities in Canada

Are applicants who wish to address Objective 2 required to get the institution that they plan to work with to concur with their proposal?

Yes, proposals related to institutional responsiveness must include written confirmation from the institution that it concurs with and is willing to participate in the project.

Are applicants who wish to address Objective 3 required to have international experience?

No. International experience would be an asset, but it is not a prerequisite for funding. However, the applicant should demonstrate in the proposal that, even without international experience, it can carry out the project.

What is the objective of the events stream?

Events project proposals must address the following objective: 

• Building an integrated, socially cohesive society by building bridges between communities to promote intercultural understanding, or fostering citizenship, civic memory, civic pride and respect for core democratic values grounded in our shared Canadian history.

What types of activities are eligible for funding under the events stream?

Activities eligible for funding under the Events stream could include:

• Community-based events (intended for and open to all Canadians) celebrating the historic contributions of a particular ethnic, cultural or faith-based group, including events that support such initiatives as Asian Heritage and Black History months
• “Citizenship Day” events for young people, organized by a coalition of ethnic, cultural or faith-based groups within a community
• Musical events that bridge ethnic, cultural or faith-based communities
• Sporting events involving members of various ethnic, cultural or faith-based communities
• Interfaith dialogues that bring together local representatives from Canada’s faith-based groups
• Intercultural sharing of cultural heritage, traditions and viewpoints
• Public education events that foster intercultural and interfaith understanding, civic memory, civic pride and respect for core democratic values

What does ex-gratia symbolic payment mean?

An ex-gratia symbolic payment is a payment made voluntarily, for which there is no legal liability on the part of the Crown.

Who was eligible to receive the ex-gratia symbolic payments from the Government of Canada?

Chinese Head Tax payers alive on February 6, 2006, and persons who were alive on February 6, 2006 who were in a conjugal relationship with a now deceased Head Tax payer.

Why did the Government of Canada provide ex-gratia symbolic payments to the Chinese-Canadian community if the Head Tax and immigration restriction measures were legal at the time of application?

Despite Canada’s reputation as one of the world’s most inclusive and diverse societies, our history includes government actions which, although legally authorized at the time, were discriminatory and inconsistent with the values that Canadians hold today.

How did the Government of Canada arrive at the amount of $20,000 for individual ex-gratia symbolic payments to Chinese Head Tax payers and persons who were in a conjugal relationship with a Head Tax payer who is now deceased?

During discussions with the Chinese-Canadian community, this approximate amount was a common suggestion for ex-gratia symbolic payments to living Head Tax payers or persons who were in a conjugal relationship with a Head Tax payer now deceased. The payment was symbolic. It was not compensation.

Are these ex-gratia payments taxable?

No. These ex-gratia payments are not taxable.

Although these payments are not taxable, will recipients be required to report them on their income tax returns for purposes of determining entitlement to benefits under programs that are income-tested, such as Old Age Security?

The Canada Revenue Agency has confirmed that these payments are not taxable, and therefore recipients are not required to report them on their income tax returns. These payments should therefore not impact any benefits that are based on net income for tax purposes.

What is the purpose of the Historical Recognition Programs first announced by the Government of Canada on June 22, 2006?

Through the Historical Recognition Programs, the Government funds eligible community–based projects and federal initiatives to recognize and commemorate the historical experiences and contributions of ethno–cultural communities affected by wartime measures and immigration restrictions applied in Canada. The Programs will help educate all Canadians about these events and about the significance of these experiences for the communities affected.

How much money has been allocated to the Historical Recognition Programs?

The Government of Canada has allocated, over four years, a total of $34 million for the Community Historical Recognition Program and for the National Historical Recognition Program.

What types of projects are funded?

The Community Historical Recognition Program funds community–based projects which enable communities affected by wartime measures and immigration restrictions that were applied in Canada to have their experiences acknowledged in a way that is meaningful to them. Eligible projects can include monuments, commemorative plaques, educational material and exhibits.

A list of projects funded under the CHRP to date can be consulted on the CHRP web page.

The National Historical Recognition Program (NHRP) funds federal initiatives to increase awareness and educate all Canadians about Canada’s history linked to wartime measures and immigration restrictions.

The majority of the NHRP funding has been allocated for federal initiatives on Parks Canada Agency land. The centerpiece of Parks Canada Agency initiatives is the development of a major exhibit at the Cave and Basin National Historic site in Canada to tell the national story of First World War internment operations.

How is funding from the Community Historical Recognition Program being made available?

For projects related to the First World War internment, applicants can apply for funding from the Canadian First World War Internment Fund established with a $10 million grant to the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko. The Fund will post calls for proposals and a committee composed of representatives from communities affected by the First World War internment will make decisions on projects to be funded. For more information, please visit www.internmentcanada.ca or call 1-866-288-7931.

No further applications are being taken under the Community Historical Recognition Program.

Why was an endowment fund established for projects related to the First World War internment?

The endowment fund provides funding for a large number of communities that have in common the historical experience of First World War internment.

What is the purpose of the National Historical Recognition Program (NHRP)?

The National Historical Recognition Program provides funding to federal departments and agencies to educate Canadians about the history linked to wartime measures and immigration restrictions applied in Canada. It is not a grants and contributions program.

Why is some of the funding being spent for national projects by federal institutions?

The Government believes it is important for all Canadians to understand our history, including the more difficult periods. The goal is to develop initiatives that can reach and educate all Canadians. While the Community Historical Recognition Program enables affected communities to relate their experiences from their own perspective in a way that is meaningful to them, the NHRP is national in scope and provides a federal narrative of historical events.

Who is eligible for the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism?

The Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism is open to all citizens and permanent residents of Canada, with the exception of elected officials of government and Senators while in office, past recipients of the Award within the last ten years, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada employees. See the eligibility requirements for more information.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. Candidates must be 18 years of age or older.

Is it possible to re–nominate an individual from year to year?

Yes. However, past recipients of the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism within the last ten years are not eligible for re-nomination.

Is it possible for a group of people to be eligible for the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism?

Yes. The Outstanding Achievement Award may be presented to a group of people.

What is the nomination deadline?

The deadline for 2012 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism is March 1, 2012. Late entries will be submitted for the following year’s award.

How are nominations evaluated?

Nominations will be reviewed and evaluated by a Regional Screening Committee based on the evaluation criteria. Evaluation is based solely on the contents of the nomination form and supporting documents and clear evidence that they meet the eligibility criteria, resulting in a short list. The short list will then be submitted to an Advisory Committee.

How are award recipients selected?

The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism makes the final selection, based on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee.

What should sponsors keep in mind when completing a nomination package?

Award recipients are selected based solely on merit. Each criterion should be responded to individually, in paragraph or point form. All supporting documentation should be clear and well organized. Please consult the nomination package.

Will nomination forms and supporting documents be returned to sponsors?

No. All materials submitted become the property of the Government of Canada and are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Do nominations need to be bilingual?

No. Nominations will be accepted in either French or English.

Will I be advised on the outcome of my nomination? When will the winning nomination be announced?

The winning nomination will be announced in a press release and the award recipient will be honoured at a public ceremony held annually in June around Multiculturalism Day (June 27).

How do I get more information?

For more information, contact the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism by email at prixpaulyuzykaward@cic.gc.ca.