COQUITLAM – Coquitlam – Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson says multiculturalism grant funding will help local organizations fight systemic racism throughout Coquitlam. This year, priority was given to projects addressing anti-Indigenous, anti-Asian and anti-Black racism.
“A large part of tackling racism in our society is to ensure that we are all making conscious decisions to support and uplift Indigenous, Black, Asian, communities of colour, and other marginalized communities,” said Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville. “This funding will encourage leaders within those marginalized communities to continue their work against racism.”
Multiculturalism Grant funding is provided to non-profit and charitable organizations for projects that build intercultural interaction, trust and understanding, or challenge racism, hate and systemic barriers. MLA Selina Robinson said that through these projects, people across B.C. will soon have improved access to tools and resources to help them learn about the diverse culture they live.
Projects in Coquitlam-Maillardville receiving a grant include:
- Coquitlam Heritage Society: $5,000 – Youth BIPOC/LGBT2SQ+ exhibit mentorship program
- Coquitlam Place des Arts Society: $5,000 – Youth BIPOC/LGBT2SQ+ exhibit mentorship program
- Coquitlam Public Library: $5,000 – Speaker series to increase awareness in community about the legacy and current state of race relations in BC
For 2020/21, the Province is providing a $944,000 one-time boost to the grant funding as part of anti-racism initiatives through Stronger BC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan.
This grant program is just one way the BC New Democrat government province is working to subvert systemic racism and protect human rights. The province has taken further action to tackle racism including: reinstating the B.C. Human Rights Commission after it was dismantled by the former BC Liberal government, launching an investigation into allegations of racism in B.C.’s health-care system, and developing a comprehensive, multi-year anti-racism action plan for B.C.’s K-12 education system. A special committee of the legislature is currently undertaking a review of the 45-year-old Police Act to modernize it, with a specific focus on addressing systemic racism. The BC New Democrat government is also committed to introducing a new anti-racism act and legislation on race-based data collection.
Learn More:
For a full list of grant recipients:
For more information about the BC Multiculturalism Grants program, visit:
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=05BC37ECB1AC4C87AF86BC303937F6EF
For more information about Resilience BC, B.C.’s Anti-Racism network visit: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/multiculturalism-anti-racism/anti-racism/resiliencebc