Assertion by Minister Kamal Khera on Lincoln Alexander Day
“On Lincoln Alexander Day, we honour a person who broke down limitations and impressed generations within the struggle for racial equality.
In 1992, Lincoln MacCauley Alexander was appointed Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest honour. He was a pioneer as the primary Black Canadian elected to the Home of Commons in addition to the primary to be appointed federal cupboard minister and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. The son of staff born into modest circumstances in 1922, at a time when Black folks had few job alternatives, Lincoln Alexander joined the military after which the general public service. Through the years, his dedication to training, race relations and youth left an indelible mark on Canada. A lifelong advocate of equality and social justice, Lincoln Alexander grew to become Chancellor of the College of Guelph and later President of the Canadian Race Relations Basis. To at the present time, his legacy continues to information us in our pursuit of a fairer, extra inclusive society.
Lincoln Alexander handed away in 2012 on the age of 90, however our authorities has by no means stopped following his path. We stay deeply dedicated to tackling all types of racial discrimination and strengthening our efforts in constructing a extra inclusive, equitable and fairer society wherein all Canadians, together with Black Canadians, can take part and thrive. Earlier this 12 months, as a part of that work, we have been proud to launch a renewed anti-racism technique, Altering Programs, Remodeling Lives: Canada’s Anti-Racism Technique 2024–2028, and Canada’s Motion Plan on Combatting Hate. We have now devoted greater than $260 million to combating systemic racism, discrimination and hate in Canada since 2018.
As one of many first member international locations of the Organisation for Financial Co-operation and Growth to acknowledge the United Nations Worldwide Decade for Individuals of African Descent, we now have invested greater than $872 million to raised help Canadians of African descent, in addition to their communities, throughout the nation. This consists of $200 million to construct the capability of Black communities and organizations by way of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative. As well as, within the 2024 Fall Financial Assertion, the federal government proposes to take a position:
– $189 million over 5 years, beginning in 2025-26, in Innovation, Science and Financial Growth Canada for the Black Entrepreneurship Program to assist Black entrepreneurs and enterprise house owners thrive. Particularly, the Program supplies entry to capital, mentorship and monetary planning companies.
– $9.5 million over two years, beginning in 2025-26, in Employment and Social Growth Canada to assist Black youth overcome employment limitations by way of the Youth Employment and Abilities Technique Program.
– $36 million in 2025-26 in Employment and Social Growth Canada for the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, which empowers Black-led, Black-serving and Black-focused group organizations to advertise inclusiveness.
These proposed new investments would convey the overall funding to enhance the social and financial welfare of Black Canadians and sort out systemic inequities affecting Black communities to greater than $1 billion. At this time, we encourage everybody in Canada to mirror on Lincoln Alexander’s contributions and turn into actively concerned in selling equality and variety in our communities. At this time, we now have a chance to recollect the values he represented: service, respect and dedication to a greater society.”
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