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For Multiculturalism
Your B.C. Government is providing programs and support to help welcome new Canadians to B.C. so that we can continue to build our province's diverse and culturally inclusive communities.
What your B.C. Government is doing for Multiculturalism:
- Since 2006/2007, investment in provincial multiculturalism and anti-racism programs has been enhanced from $500,000 to over $1 million with funding from the Government of Canada under the Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Co-operation on Immigration.
- EmbraceBC replaces the British Columbia Anti-racism and Multiculturalism Program (BCAMP) to support public education and cultural diversity and works towards the elimination of racism through ministry and community-led activities. There are six key program areas for community-led projects including arts engagement, community engagement and dialogue, inclusive leadership and mentorship, interfaith bridging, organizing against racism and hate, and public education.
- Ministry-led activities include the Provincial Nesika Awards, Make a Case Against Racism, Organizing Against Racism and Hate and the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Dialogue Initiative.
- Multicultural Advisory Council (MAC): Under the Multiculturalism Act, the MAC is appointed to provide advice to the Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism on issues related to multiculturalism and anti-racism. The current membership is comprised of 16 orders-in-council appointees.
- 2009 Make A Case Against Racism (MACAR): This is the second year of Make A Case Against Racism, a Public education program to engage youth from Grades 4-7 in anti-racism activities and build awareness around cultural diversity. This program is in partnership with the Ministry of Education, and the Music BC Industry Association. In 2008, students had the opportunity to select their favourite songs by B.C. music artists through an online voting process and to create original artwork for a Make a Case against Racism compilation CD. The program also included a "Guide for Teachers" to support anti-racism education activities.
- Provincial Nesika Awards: Now in their second year, these awards honour and celebrate British Columbia's cultural diversity and indigenous communities. They recognize the people, organizations and communities whose exceptional work is helping to bring our diverse cultures together. Nesika (Ne-SAY-ka) is Chinook jargon for “we, us, our.” It comes from a trade language used by many different Aboriginal linguistic groups along the west coast of North America. Chinook jargon was used extensively in British Columbia during the 19th and early 20th centuries to help Aboriginal people communicate, first among themselves and then with European newcomers. Nominations for the 2009 Provincial Nesika Awards are now open. For more information, visit http://www.EmbraceBC.ca/communities/nesika.html
- Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Dialogues Initiative: This dialogue model has been developed in partnership with the Simon Fraser University Dialogue Programs, and is a unique initiative which encourages community based conversations around what it means to live in harmony in a multicultural society. In 2009/2010 the following 10 communities will convene dialogues: Abbotsford, Campbell River, Duncan (Cowichan Valley), Galiano Island, Nanaimo, Penticton, Richmond, Sechelt, Terrace and Victoria. Since 2005 dialogues have been held in 15 communities: Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince Rupert, Abbotsford, Burns Lake, Campbell River, Duncan (Cowichan Valley), Fernie, Nanaimo, Powell River, Smithers, Terrace, Vanderhoof, Vernon, and Williams Lake.
- BC Safe Harbour Initiative: BC Safe Harbour Initiative engages municipalities, businesses, and agencies in communities across the province to work collaboratively in building safe and inclusive communities that promote cultural diversity and eliminate racism. 20 communities across the province are Safe Harbour sites.
- In 2007, the Province launched the WelcomeBC cross-government initiative that invests in projects that support welcoming and inclusive communities and provides newcomers with coordinated access to information services, employment services, English-language training and foreign credential recognition services – $272 million has been invested by the federal and provincial governments.
- The $25 million Welcoming and Inclusive Communities and Workplaces Program is a three-year initiative developed to strengthen community capacity to support immigrant settlement and integration, eliminate racism, and value and respect multiculturalism by setting the strategic direction for BC through research, local government engagement, and piloting promising practices at the provincial level.
- Developed LearnLiveBC.ca to provide comprehensive resources to international students wanting to come to B.C. to study.
- The one-time Mosaic Grant was created as part of BC150 with a total funding of $350,000. The grants supported communities in telling stories of Aboriginal and immigrant pioneers’ contributions to BC. 38 projects were supported from 2007/08 to 2008/09, with 11 of these grants being completed in 2008/09.
- Since March 2001, over 7,670 skilled and business immigrants have been attracted to the province through the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program. Last fiscal year along, B.C. attracted 2,629 skilled workers and entrepreneurs – more than 6,200 new immigrants, including family members.
- The Province launched the Asia Pacific Initiative to capitalize on economic prosperity through increased economic trade and investments opportunities with the global economic drivers of the 21st century: China, India, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.
