Since 2015, the Government of Canada has been strongly committed to diversity and inclusion, aiming to make Canada-and the world-a better place. Despite the progress made, racism remains an unacceptable reality for far too many people in Canada.
To strengthen federal leadership against racism and discrimination, the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, unveiled today Canada's new Anti-Racism Strategy: Changing Systems, Transforming Lives: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028.
This Strategy is part of the Government of Canada's plan to build a better, fairer and more inclusive country for every generation of Canadians, by ensuring that everyone can reach their full potential. It aims to deliver concrete and measurable outcomes in key priority areas. These include:
- promoting economic, social and cultural empowerment;
- advancing racial equity in immigration, health and housing systems;
- driving justice, law enforcement, intelligence and public safety systems reform; and
- using international engagement to inform advancement on racial equity and inclusion at home.
Racism and discrimination continue to be barriers to inclusion for Indigenous peoples and Black, racialized and religious minority communities, preventing them from fully participating in Canadian society and the economy, while undermining our shared values.
Canada's new Anti-Racism Strategy is a $110.4 million investment aimed at driving action in employment, justice and law enforcement, housing, healthcare and immigration systems. It encompasses over 70 federal initiatives designed to ensure federal policies, programs and services reflect the Canada it serves, while also working in partnership with communities by investing over $70 million in local initiatives across the country.
This Strategy builds on the endorsement of a second United Nations (UN) International Decade for People of African Descent, and historic investments totalling up to $872 million within communities through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund and other initiatives focused on Black communities.
