Minister of State for Trade
With only 18 days remaining until the deadline on Sept. 21, 2015, it’s time to send in your nomination for the British Columbia Multicultural Awards. Anyone can make a nomination using the forms available online.
The British Columbia Multicultural Awards recognize individuals, organizations and businesses whose exceptional work helps bring our diverse cultures together. Multicultural champions are found in communities throughout the province helping to promote better understanding between fellow British Columbians.
Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism Teresa Wat said she encourages all British Columbians to nominate individuals, businesses and organizations who consistently and tirelessly go out of their way to embrace multiculturalism and celebrate our differences.
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 award recipients will take home a trophy and certificate of recognition.
Some examples of previous award recipients’ activities include:
- Organized community events that focus on celebrating diversity.
- Founded cultural organizations to promote better understanding of different cultures such as welcoming new immigrants, and advocating on behalf of immigrant groups.
- Developed programs and services to support diversity using a community-based approach.
- Fostered better communications between First Nations and immigrant communities, and between international and local students.
- Created a publication devoted to a specific immigrant community.
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 indigenous communities.
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.
Nominations close at 5 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2015, and recipients will be recognized at the British Columbia Multicultural Awards event during Multicultural Week in Vancouver on November 20, 2015.
Quick Facts:
- Since 1988, B.C.'s Multicultural Advisory Council has promoted cross-cultural understanding and respect throughout the province.
- The British Columbia Multicultural Awards (previously known as the Provincial Nesika Awards) were first held in 2008. The name was changed this year to better reflect the purpose of the awards and to promote multiculturalism.
- 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.
- 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:
British Columbia Multicultural Awards: www.gov.bc.ca/bcmulticulturalawards
Minister’s Video: https://youtu.be/pqC73FZJPHs
Past Award Recipients https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Awards_Recipients_2008-2014.pdf
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
