Multiculturalism: Harper government withholds earmarked money







The federal government is being accused of withholding funds which were supposed to go towards multiculturalism.  In response to the money not being used, the government has now said they will slash the budget for multiculturalism spending, despite government records indicating there is still a need to commission multicultural projects.

Cultural pluralism has always been an innately Canadian value, as we are a country of immigrants who have always encouraged members of different cultures to come and settle here, always with the understanding that they would be able to bring their cultures and values to Canada.

It is this embracing of other cultures, which is why Canada is said to be known as a ‘mosaic,’ a patchwork of diverse groups of people all living freely in this land toward the Canadian identity.  In an email to the Canadian Press on June 30th, representative for the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, Erika-Kirsten Easton, defends the government’s decision to cut spending on multiculturalism.

"It is irresponsible and inefficient to year after year budget spending that is not being used," said Easton.

The department of Citizenship and Immigration’s granting program known as ‘Inter-Action,’ has had its funding cut while simultaneously receiving more requests.

A government document obtained by the Canadian Press June 30th, notes 567 multiculturalism related projects met the criteria for grants, however only 39 were given to the minister, and of that- 25% were funded.

A Spokesperson for Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, has said the process for grant approval must adhere to a strict code of conduct. 

"Only those projects that fulfill all of the rigorous program criteria are approved for funding. These criteria are in place to ensure that funded projects provide beneficial services that are in line with the program's objectives, and provide good value for taxpayer money." Alexis Pavlich said, in an email to the Canadian Press.

Others are worried the criteria for receiving funding for multicultural projects is too far too rigorous, and that the federal government is no longer taking multiculturalism seriously.

"I don't think the multiculturalism program is being taken seriously any more and I worry about the nation-building aspects the program used to have. There were a lot of problems with it, but to simply let it die down is not the route to go," said Ratna Omidvar, a leader in a Toronto-based diversity program called Maytree Foundation.

"Official Multiculturalism" is a value which has become "distinctly Canadian", and had become a integral part of our identity as a country. If the desire for the creation of multicultural programs is desired by the people, the government should respect that and spend the money earmarked for it accordingly. 


Comments

There are 0 comments on this post

Leave A Comment