The B.C. government opens nominations today for the British Columbia Multicultural Awards to draw attention to our province’s multicultural champions, be it a deserving individual, business or organization.

British Columbia has hundreds of multicultural organizations and countless businesses and individuals in all corners of the province who work hard to promote multiculturalism and nurture empathy and inclusion.

Five categories are open for nomination - individual, business, organization, youth and multicultural excellence in government. Recipients in the first four categories will receive $5,000 to be donated to a non-profit organization of their choice to further support the work of multiculturalism in the province, and all recipients will take home a trophy.

Past British Columbia Multicultural Award recipients include:

• Karen Dhaliwal, a fourth-year political science student at the University of British Columbia and the founding president of the UBC Intercultural Alliance;
• The Community Justice Centre that, since 2007, has successfully conducted 22 community-based events focused on countering racism, homophobia and hate while promoting diversity, multiculturalism and intercultural understanding; and
• CIBC, one of the first corporations in Canada to dedicate an entire month to the celebration of diversity with their Diversity Matters Initiatives.

The British Columbia Multicultural Awards (previously known as the Provincial Nesika Awards) were started in 2008 to recognize the people, organizations and businesses whose exceptional work helps bring our diverse cultures together. The name was changed this year to better reflect the purpose of the awards and to promote multiculturalism.

The Government of British Columbia, with advice and support from the Province’s Multicultural Advisory Council, organizes the British Columbia Multicultural Awards to honour and celebrate British Columbia’s cultural diversity and Aboriginal heritage.

The most ethnically diverse province in Canada, B.C. welcomes nearly 40,000 new immigrants every year. Almost 30% of British Columbians have emigrated from another country in their lifetime and one-quarter of the people in the province are self-identified visible minorities.

In 2015, the B.C. government will spend more than $1.6 million to engage cultural groups, to fight racism and discrimination and to promote multiculturalism. With one million job openings expected by 2020 in B.C., immigrants will play a vital role in the economic well-being of the province.

All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on September 21, 2015. For more information, eligibility requirements, or to download the British Columbia Multicultural Awards nomination form, visit: www.EmbraceBC.ca or email: MAC@gov.bc.ca

Quotes:

Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism Teresa Wat -

“Cultural diversity helps create a strong and vibrant social and economic future for British Columbia. We are looking for multicultural champions - individuals and organizations who go the extra mile to promote multiculturalism, address racism and help build inclusive communities in our province.”

Multicultural Advisory Council chair Tenzin Khangsar -

“B.C.’s multiculturalism is a big part of what makes our province great and it’s important that we continue to strengthen and promote it. That is why, through the B.C. Multicultural Awards, we recognize those who have shown dedication to fostering integration and social cohesion. I encourage all British Columbian’s to nominate a person or organization that demonstrates an outstanding effort to promote multiculturalism.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 1988, B.C.'s Multicultural Advisory Council has promoted cross-cultural understanding and respect throughout the province.
• The award recipients are selected by an independent jury.
• Under the BC Multiculturalism Act all ministries and Crown corporations are required to submit an annual report on multiculturalism to reflect their commitment to multiculturalism. These are included in the Annual Provincial Report on Multiculturalism.

Learn More:

Embrace BC - Province of B.C. multiculturalism site: www.embracebc.ca

Welcome BC - Information and services for new British Columbians: http://www.welcomebc.ca/home.aspx

B.C. Multicultural Advisory Council: http://tinyurl.com/n4nvauv

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade and Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
250 356-7293