Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism issued the following statement in response to new reports of racist flyers distributed in Richmond.

British Columbia is celebrating Multiculturalism Week Nov. 13-19, 2016, a time to acknowledge the contributions of B.C.’s multicultural society and recognize the many ways diversity helps nurture inclusiveness, understanding and mutual respect, and connects communities throughout the province.

Community organizations working to address racism through the B.C. Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) program will share over $217,000 in provincial funding aimed at supporting their efforts to challenge racism and celebrate diversity. Funds will be directly distributed to 33 organizations located in communities throughout British Columbia.                               

Two organizations on the Sunshine Coast will receive $14,000 in funding to help challenge racism and celebrate diversity: Wit Works Ltd. ($7,000) and the Powell River Diversity Initiative Society ($7,000). These organizations are among 33 community groups throughout British Columbia working to address racism through the B.C. Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) program.

Seven organizations in Northwest B.C. are receiving a total of $48,750 in funding to help challenge racism and celebrate diversity. They are among 33 community groups throughout British Columbia working to address racism through the B.C. Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) program, and include:

Five organizations across the North Island are receiving a total of $35,000 in funding to help challenge racism and celebrate diversity. They are among 33 community groups throughout British Columbia working to address racism through the B.C. Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) program, and they include:

East Kootenay Organization for Human Dignity and Equality is receiving $7,000, Elk Valley Métis Association is receiving $4,000, and Okanagan College is receiving $7,000 in funding to help challenge racism and celebrate diversity. These organizations are among 33 community groups throughout British Columbia working to address racism through the B.C. Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) program.

The British Columbia government is providing $300,000 through the Multiculturalism Grant program to support organizations offering activities that promote B.C.’s rich multicultural identity and heritage, and foster cross-cultural understanding and respect.  

Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism issued the following statement regarding Malaysia Independence Day, also known as Merdeka Day.