One hundred and twenty community organizations from around the province are receiving a total of $300,000 in multiculturalism grants to help celebrate British Columbia’s rich multicultural heritage and promote diversity and inclusiveness.

The Multiculturalism Grant Program celebrates British Columbia’s cultural diversity by funding projects that raise awareness of B.C.’s multicultural identity. Each community organization will receive up to $2,500 and the funding will be used for a variety of projects customized for each community’s needs.

Projects may include festivals, community forums or cultural celebrations that support positive expressions of multiculturalism. The grants especially support projects that utilize a collaborative community approach and challenge racism and hate.

Two different examples of how this funding may be used include:

• A program aimed at helping seniors from different cultural groups connect with one another through activities such as dance and cooking.
• A travelling exhibition to illustrate the struggles and accomplishments of Chinese Canadian women in this country.

Applications for the 2016-17 Multiculturalism Grant program opened on Oct. 24, 2016 and closed on Dec. 18, 2016.

Quotes:

Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism –

“The B.C. government is proud to support communities to celebrate multiculturalism and help reduce intolerance in our society. The grants help community organizations showcase British Columbia’s rich, multicultural mosaic and support cultural expression, empathy and inclusion in every region of our province.”

Tenzin Khangsar, chair, Multicultural Advisory Council –

“There is great strength in diversity. Thanks to provincial funding, B.C. communities have the tools they need to continue breaking down barriers and promoting multiculturalism and acceptance across British Columbia.”

Quick Facts:

• The most ethnically diverse province in Canada, almost 30% of British Columbians have emigrated from another country.
• Over the last two years, government has spent over $1.6 million annually on programs that promote multiculturalism, address racism and build inclusive communities in British Columbia.
• B.C. created its own Multiculturalism Act in 1993 and now the third week of November is designated as Multiculturalism Week in B.C.
• In November 2016, the B.C. government provided $217,000 in total to 33 organizations belonging to the Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) network to support the work they do to address racism in B.C.

Learn More:

A list of multiculturalism grant recipients can be found here: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/multiculturalism-anti-racism/funding/multiculturalism_grant_payments_-_march_2017pdf.pdf 

Learn about what the province is doing to promote multiculturalism and address racism in B.C.: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/multiculturalism-anti-racism

Interested in applying for a grant? Criteria are posted online and applications will be accepted later this year: https://www.gaming.gov.bc.ca/grants/multiculturalism.htm

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

Take the Unlearn Racism challenge: http://unlearnracism.ca/