As part of Multiculturalism Week, the Province will launch "BC People: Portraits of Diversity in BC," a new book that profiles 51 British Columbians from a variety of cultural backgrounds living in every region of B.C.

Originally, the profiles were designed for and released online, as well as on multimedia DVD for educational purposes. The project's popularity has prompted the government to make it available in hardcopy, to distribute to service providers and libraries across the province.

Developed under EmbraceBC, the book is intended to increase awareness of British Columbia's cultural diversity and to encourage citizens to consider the role we all play in creating welcoming and inclusive communities.

EmbraceBC is the British Columbia government's strategic framework that supports initiatives to ensure that B.C.'s Multiculturalism Act is understood, upheld, and implemented by citizens, communities and government. EmbraceBC is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

Quick Facts:

• Almost 30 per cent of British Columbians emigrated from another country.
• The most ethnically diverse province in Canada, B.C. welcomes nearly 40,000 new immigrants every year.
• Five per cent of British Columbians self-identify as Aboriginal; approximately 60 per cent of Canada's First Nations languages are spoken in B.C.

Learn More:

To view the book online, visit: http://www.bcpeople.ca

To learn more about EmbraceBC, visit: http://www.embracebc.ca

Media Contact:

Brian Bonney
Communications Director, Multiculturalism
Government Communications and Public Engagement
604 775-1153
604 306-4735 (cell)

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