SURREY – New Democrat MLAs Rachna Singh, Garry Begg, Jinny Sims, Jagrup Brar, Bruce Ralston, and Harry Bains say new provincial anti-racism funding for non-profit MOSAIC will improve Surrey’s ability to address and respond to racism.
MOSAIC is one of 34 organizations to receive $7,500 in anti-racism grant funding from Resilience BC, a new network established by the New Democrat government to address systemic and institutionalized racism across the province. The funding comes amid renewed calls for communities and governments across Canada to work together to address racism.
“Whether it’s fewer economic opportunities for racialized people, or incidences of hate and prejudice, racism looks different in every community across our province,” said Rachna Singh, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers. “This funding is yet another step taken by the New Democrat government to address systemic racism and individual occurrences of racism in B.C.”
Other initiatives to address racism include the re-instatement of the BC Human Rights Commission, the review of B.C.’s Police Act, and working with partners to explore gathering race-based data in B.C.
MOSIAC will use the new funding to hold a community forum for International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and will also work to grow participation in its current anti-racism programming.
In November of 2019, the New Democrat government launched Resilience BC, a province-wide, anti-racism network, in direct response to feedback received during the community meetings led by MLA Ravi Kahlon in his role as Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Multiculturalism.
The program will receive $540,000 annually, which will be distributed to communities and organizations across B.C. to support work to address racism.
QUOTES:
“Racism looks different in every community, which means our response to racism may also look different in every community,” said Garry Begg, MLA for Surrey-Guildford. “This funding will help local organizations develop tools and programs to challenge and respond to racism at the local level, and build stronger communities in the process.”
“This program helps grassroots organizations by equipping them with the resources they need to challenge racism in our communities,” said Jinny Sims, MLA for Surrey-Panorama. “We are taking a number of steps to address issues related to systemic racism and racist incidents in B.C., and our Resilience BC program is an important part of this work.”
“There is no room for prejudice and hate in B.C., and I am proud our government is committed to addressing this issue in Surrey and across the province,” said Jagrup Brar, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood. “Resilience BC funding is another part of our work to build a province where everyone is welcomed and included.”
“Our government is committed to building a province that is safe and welcoming for everyone,” said Harry Bains, MLA for Surrey-Newton. “MOSAIC does important work in our community, and I’m pleased to see funding that will allow them to increase their ability to run anti-racism programming in Surrey.”
“Helping local Surrey organizations carry out anti-racism work is incredibly important,” said Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley. “I’m proud to be part of a government that is committed to eliminating racism and hate in B.C.”
For more information on Resilience BC, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/multiculturalism-anti-racism/anti-racism/resiliencebc