Strategic Outcomes and Program Alignment Architecture (in effect April 1, 2011)

Program 3.3 – Multiculturalism for Newcomers and all Canadians

Program Description
The Multiculturalism Program is the principal means of carrying out the Minister’s responsibilities under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act for promoting the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins. The Program has the following objectives: build an integrated, socially-cohesive society; improve the responsiveness of institutions to the needs of a diverse population; and actively engage in discussions on multiculturalism and diversity at the international level. Program objectives are advanced through grants and contributions for projects and events, as well as through direct public outreach and promotional activities. The Program assists federal partners to meet their obligations under the Act and ensures annual reporting to Parliament on its operation. It also engages with non-federal public institutions seeking to respond to diversity. The Program provides a forum for cooperation with provinces and territories and is the locus for Canada’s participation in international agreements and institutions with respect to multiculturalism, anti-racism and related issues.

The Multiculturalism Program’s objectives were updated in 2009 to focus on the following three areas: a)  building an integrated, socially cohesive society, by promoting intercultural understanding, fostering citizenship, civic memory and pride, and respect for core democratic values, and promoting equal opportunity for individuals of all origins; b) improving the responsiveness of institutions to the needs of a diverse population, by assisting federal and public institutions to integrate multiculturalism into their policy and program development and service delivery; and c) actively engaging in discussions on multiculturalism and diversity at the international level, by sharing Canadian approaches to diversity while contributing to an international policy dialogue on issues related to multiculturalism.

The evolving nature of diversity has resulted in new challenges to achieving an integrated society in which all citizens can participate to their full potential. In 2010-2011, CIC continued its work to promote intercultural and interfaith understanding, through active membership in the International Task Force on Holocaust Remembrance, Research and Education (ITF), collaboration with the Global Centre for Pluralism (GCP) and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF).

The Multiculturalism Program provides financial assistance in the form of grants and contributions to not-for-profit organizations, non-federal public institutions, regional and municipal governments, private sector organizations, and individuals. Projects and events address issues affecting ethno-cultural communities with the goal of fostering increased participation in society. Inter-Action, a new component of the Multiculturalism grants and contributions program, was launched in 2010-2011. Inter-Action has two streams, Projects and Events. The Projects stream focuses on long term, multi-year projects that support community engagement. A Call for Proposal approach was introduced for Projects in order to enhance the transparency and integrity of the selection process. A new Events stream was introduced to provide grants to small community-based events that promote intercultural understanding.

The public education and outreach activities of the Multiculturalism Program include initiatives that raise awareness and inform public dialogue about multiculturalism, including various commemorative activities for Black History Month and Asian Heritage Month. In collaboration with public and private partners in the educational sector as well as community groups, the Program also produces and disseminates educational materials and organizes events geared toward strengthening intercultural understanding. For example, CIC launched the Teachers and Youth Web Corner, which provides teachers across the country with educational tools regarding citizenship, Canadian identity, multiculturalism and immigration while giving youth a fun path to learning.

Through the Historical Recognition Program, CIC recognizes and commemorates the experiences of ethno-cultural communities affected by historical wartime measures and/or historical immigration restrictions or prohibitions that were applied in Canada, and educates Canadians in this regard.

CIC also works with other federal institutions on the implementation of the multiculturalism policy, as is reported in the Annual Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. In addition, the Program shares and supports Canada’s approach to building an integrated, socially-cohesive society in international fora. For example, CIC encourages inter-cultural dialogue at national and international levels to combat all forms of discrimination and racism, including anti-Semitism. The Department worked with the Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism (CPCCA), which is affiliated with the Interparliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism (ICCA), to support the development of the ICCA conference in Ottawa (November 7-9, 2010). The Ottawa Protocol was a major outcome of this conference and represents global cooperation in the fight against anti-Semitism.

More information on the Multiculturalism Program