The Foundation’s “Unite Against Racism” Campaign is the largest and most diverse anti-racism campaign of its kind in Canadian history.  The Honourable Lincoln Alexander, founding Chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

Historical significance

In 1988, the Government of Canada and the National Association of Japanese Canadians signed the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement, which acknowledged that the treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after World War II was unjust and violated principles of human rights. The federal government also promised to create a foundation that would “foster racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding and help to eliminate racism.”
 

1. The Foundation’s “Unite Against Racism” Campaign is the largest and most diverse anti-racism campaign of its kind in Canadian history.  2. The Honourable Lincoln Alexander, founding Chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

Opening the doors to fostering racial harmony

The federal government proclaimed the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act into law on October 28, 1996. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) was officially opened in November 1997. It has registered charitable status and is governed by a national board of directors, with day-to-day operations managed by an executive director and CEO. Strategically located in Toronto, the Foundation’s activities reach out in support of organizations across Canada. In accordance with the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement, the federal government provided the Foundation with a $24 million endowment fund. The Foundation’s annual operational budget is generated from investments and donations.

Our Mission

The CRRF’s commitment to building a national framework for the fight against racism in Canada encompasses all aspects of our programs by:
• Shedding light on the causes and manifestations of racism;
• Providing independent, outspoken national leadership;
• Pursuing equity, fairness and social justice.

Our work focus

We address different issues of importance to racialized minorities and Aboriginal peoples with an emphasis on eliminating racism in employment and education through our three program initiatives.
• Contract Research Program invites submission of research proposals to further knowledge about employment equity for racialized minorities and Aboriginal peoples; racism and Aboriginal peoples; and racism and youth. Proposals are requested every two years. The findings are subsequently announced.
• Initiatives Against Racism Sponsorship program supports public awareness projects across Canada developed by community and non-governmental organizations. Funding eligibility is based on their efforts to foster harmony and dispel popular misconceptions about racialized minorities and Aboriginal peoples.
• Award of Excellence program recognizes public, private and voluntary organizations whose efforts represent excellence and innovation in combating racism. Nominations are invited for this biennial event and assessed by an independent awards jury.

The Foundation speaks out on selected current issues and undertakes public speaking engagements; publishes a newsletter, CRRF Perspectives; and produces fact sheets on topical issues. A rich collection of resource materials forms the basis of our clearing house. This information is available through our web-site at www.crr.ca together with links to organizations, government departments and institutions that work towards the elimination of racism.