Vancouver – MLAs Spencer Chandra Herbert, Mable Elmore, George Chow and George Heyman are welcoming $100,000 through the province’s Multiculturalism Grant Program for projects designed to promote multiculturalism and fight racism.

In total, 25 projects in Vancouver will each receive $4,000 from this latest round of grants. Some examples include:

• The Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society, which is using the funds for the Open Arms Initiative, bringing newly-landed immigrants, including refugees, to the festival.
• The Environmental Youth Alliance will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to increase intercultural understanding and trust through nature stewardship activities and reconciliation dialogue.
• The South Vancouver Neighbourhood House’s project, Sharing Cultures, will host evening meals throughout south Vancouver that feature culturally-themed activities.
• The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre will facilitate cross-cultural exchange between the ethnic groups that frequent the centre.
• The Vancouver Holocaust Centre will present its Holocaust symposia for high school students throughout the province.
• U.C.C.E.S.S. (also known as the United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society) will offer training to frontline service workers from mainstream community organizations to enhance their abilities to serve increasingly diverse populations.

A total of 76 community groups around the province will receive funding though the Multiculturalism Grant Program. The program promotes intercultural trust and understanding by funding projects that bring people together in creative ways to enhance multiculturalism and address racism. The B.C. Government provides $300,000 annually to communities across B.C. through this grant program.

This grant program is just one way the province is tackling human rights issues. In November 2018 the BC NDP government introduced legislative amendments to the Human Rights Code that will re-establish a human rights commission to promote and protect human rights for all British Columbians.

MLA Quotes:

“British Columbia is the most ethnically diverse province in Canada. These projects, which support diversity and fight racism, help make B.C. an even more welcoming place to call home.” – Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA for Vancouver-West End

“The South Vancouver Neighbourhood House in my area, along with many organizations like it, plays an important role in building connections between people in the community and providing a space where everyone and anyone can feel welcome. They’re multiculturalism in action. A big thank you to the wonderful volunteers who make it all possible.” – Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington

“People in my riding benefit from the hard work of many organizations that focus on multicultural rights and accessibility. I have had the pleasure to work with and see the extensive achievements of S.U.C.C.E.S.S in my community and others. I thank them for their tireless devotion to promoting the well-being of Canadians and immigrants.” – George Chow, MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview

“I’m proud that so many great people in Vancouver are helping to make life better by promoting multiculturalism. I want to give special thanks to the Environmental Youth Alliance for linking environmental awareness with reconciliation.” – George Heyman, MLA for Vancouver-Fairview

Learn More: Multiculturalism and anti-racism strengthened by grants: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019TAC0019-000401