Ottawa July 22, 2021 Canadians learned how Canada is systemically racist and suffer from the irrational fear of Islam.
The national summit was Organized by the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat. It was convened by the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opened the summit by reiterating the government’s solidarity** with Muslim communities across Canada. Canada is committed to combat and denounce Islamophobia.
:unity (as of a group or class) that produces or is based on community of interests, objectives, and standards the situation in which people have the same opinion, or in which they approve of or accept something.**
Framing the Narrative
During the summit, the Government of Canada committed to:
- 1. Engage with Muslim communities on the government’s next Anti-Racism Action Plan. This plan will be launched when the 2019–2022 Anti-Racism Strategy comes to an end;
- 2. Explore potential adjustments to the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP), Anti-Racism Action Program (ARAP), Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program (CSMARI) and other relevant/related programs to enhance effectiveness and to be more responsive to community needs. These programs will continue to dismantle white supremacist groups, monitor hate groups, and take action to combat hate everywhere, including online;
- 3. Building on lessons learned to improve digital literacy and tackling misinformation;
- 4. A renewed focus on dedicated resources to support combat islamophobia and all forms of hate;
- 5. The Minister of National Revenue, has requested that the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson conduct a systemic study to address the concerns of Muslim led charitable organizations;
- 6. Take a whole-of-government approach to take further action on these priorities.
Today’s summit made important progress in combatting Islamophobia across Canada. Canada will support Muslim communities, to create a safer and more inclusive Canada for all.
How much money?
- Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, unveiled on June 25, 2019, after extensive cross-country consultations, is a $45-million investment to build long-term changes in supporting communities and improving policies, initiatives, and practices in our federal institutions.
- In the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government of Canada provided $50 million over two years, starting in 2021–22, to expand the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program and the Anti-Racism Action Program to deliver on the government’s anti-racism objectives, including by expanding the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat.