Evaluation Criteria

All submissions are reviewed and evaluated by Regional Screening Committees across the country. The evaluation is based solely on the contents of the nomination form, supporting documents and clear evidence that they meet the eligibility requirements. Submissions that do not meet the eligibility requirements will not be considered.

Each Regional Screening Committee then recommends its top candidates to the Advisory Committee, which re-evaluates the shortlist of candidates recommended by the regions. The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism makes the final decision, based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee.

Scoring will be based on the following evaluation criteria:

Please explain how the candidate meets each of the following:

(Please be sure to provide concrete examples)

1. Promoted initiatives that support the objectives of the Multiculturalism Program [10 points]

The nomination package must demonstrate that the candidate met the spirit of the objectives of the Multiculturalism Program in his/her actions in the advancement of multiculturalism.

The objectives of the Multiculturalism Program are to help build bridges between communities and promote intercultural understanding among and equal opportunity for, all Canadians.

2. Positive impact of the efforts [10 points]

The nomination package must demonstrate that the candidate had a positive impact on his/her community.

Please explain how the candidate meets at least one of the following:

(Please be sure to provide concrete examples)

[30 points]

3. a) Demonstrated support for the economic, social, and cultural integration of new Canadians and cultural communities

Examples:

• assisting new Canadians and cultural communities to gain knowledge and skills for their economic, social, and cultural integration and civic engagement;
• providing opportunities and support for the involvement of new Canadians and cultural communities to work in partnerships with various stakeholders to identify and resolve issues affecting them (schools, social services, employment, foreign credentials recognition, justice system, policing, media, etc.); or
• improving the ability of public institutions to respond to, and integrate, ethnic, racial, cultural, and religious diversity by assisting in the identification and removal of barriers to equitable access

OR

3. b) Facilitated programs such as mentorship, volunteerism, leadership, and civic education among at-risk cultural youth

Examples:

• assisting at-risk cultural youth to gain self-confidence, knowledge, and skills for participation and civic engagement (volunteerism);
• providing opportunities for youth through partnerships with their peers, adults, and community leaders as well as through mentorship initiatives, to gain practical learning experience and develop the skills necessary to contribute to the economic, social and cultural life of their communities;
• assisting in addressing the root causes of cultural youth marginalization, detachment, and radicalization; or
• assisting youth in responding to racism and hate-motivated activities.

OR

3. c) Promoted inter-cultural understanding and Canadian values (democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law) through community initiatives, with the objectives of addressing issues of cultural social exclusion (parallel communities) and radicalization

Examples:

• fostering interaction between different communities and supporting cross-sector collaboration in community-based projects to build and shape an inclusive and respectful society;
• facilitating collective community initiatives and responses to combat ethnic, racial, cultural and religious conflicts and hate-motivated activities;
• supporting community-based initiatives designed to facilitate inter-faith dialogue and increase understanding of the place of religion in Canada in order to combat ignorance and faulty assumptions and foster constructive and informed dialogue about multiculturalism, religions, racism, cultural diversity, and Canadian values;
• encouraging activities aimed at reaching society at large to facilitate inter-cultural understanding and address the cultural social exclusion of some communities;
• increasing awareness and understanding of racism and discrimination, and taking action to foster equal opportunities for all people; or
• reducing or eliminating factors contributing to exclusion, disenchantment, and radicalization.