2006-2007 Annual Report
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NEW_03 Cover-TOC 9/11/07 11:17 AM Page 1 Fighting Racism is our business. Canadian Race Relations Foundation Annual Report 2006-2007 Marking 10 years in the fight against racism. NEW_03 Cover-TOC 9/11/07 11:17 AM Page 2 2006-2007 With the creation of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation now a reality, all the terms of the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement signed on September 22, 1988 have been completed. For Japanese Canadians, this is a culmina- tion of the struggle for rights as citizens. Having been deprived of the franchise until 1948; labelled "enemy aliens" dur- ing the war; endured pain and humiliation through forced relocation and internment; Japanese Canadians finally received the apology and acknowledgement from the Canadian Government absolving them of any wrong-doing. The redress set- tlement has allowed for the healing process to begin. - Art Miki, Fmr. Pres., National Association of Japanese Canadians, November 13, 1997 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acting Chair’s Message ..........................................................3 Executive Director’s Message ..................................................4 Board of Directors ..................................................................6 Committees of the Board ........................................................7 Strategic Objectives ................................................................8 Environmental context ............................................................9 Strengthening and Enhancing the CRRF’s Capacity..............10 Provide and Promote effective Education and Training ........12 Provide Leadership................................................................14 Research Program ................................................................15 Influence Public Policy ........................................................17 Conclusion ............................................................................19 Canadian Race Relations Foundation Financial Management and Discussion ................................20 4576 Yonge Street, Suite 701 Management’s Responsibility ..............................................24 Toronto, Ontario M2N 6N4 Auditor’s Report ....................................................................25 t. 416-952-3500| 1 888-240-4936 f. 416-952-3326 | 1-888-399-0333 Financial Statements ............................................................26 e. [email protected] Notes to Financial Statements ..............................................30 www.crrf-fcrr.ca Appendix ..............................................................................37 NEW_01 Eng 9/11/07 11:10 AM Page 1 2006-2007 Vision History To be a leading and authoritative voice and agent in the strug- In 1988, The Canadian Government reached an agreement with gle to eliminate racism in all its forms and to promote a more the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC), acting harmonious Canada. on behalf of Japanese Canadian families who were interned and otherwise stripped of their human and civil rights during and Mission after the Second World War. Known as the Japanese Canadian To provide leadership in the building of a national framework for Redress Agreement, the Government apologized on behalf of the struggle against racism in Canada. The Foundation will Canadians for those actions and provided compensation to advance understanding of the past and present causes and those Japanese Canadian families who were wronged. The NAJC manifestations of racism. The CRRF will provide independent also negotiated a contribution of $12 million on behalf of its national leadership and serve as resource and facilitator in the community, to be matched by an equal amount from the pursuit of equity, healing, fairness and justice in Canada. The Government of Canada, to create a one-time $24 million endow- CRRF will contribute to Canada’s voice in the international ment fund to establish what is now known as the Canadian struggle against racism. Race Relations Foundation (CRRF). Mandate The CRRF would, inter alia, assist all sectors, including com- The Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act is very specific munities, in understanding the true nature of racism and racial about the functions the Foundation is expected to perform in discrimination and to work towards its elimination. fulfilling its purpose. Legislation They are as follows: The Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act, Bill C-63, was • undertaking research, collecting data, and develop- passed in 1990 and was proclaimed in 1996 "…to facilitate ing a national information base; throughout Canada the development, sharing and application of • acting as a clearinghouse, providing information knowledge and expertise in order to contribute to the elimination about race relations resources, and establishing links of racism and all forms of racial discrimination in Canadian soci- with public and private educational institutions and ety…". The CRRF opened its doors in November, 1997. A Crown libraries; Corporation and one of the portfolio agencies of Canadian • facilitating consultation, and the exchange of infor- Heritage, the CRRF operates at arm’s length from the Government mation relating to race relations policies, programs of Canada. The CRRF also has registered charitable status. Its and research; operating income is derived from the interest on the investment • promoting effective race relations training and of the endowment fund, private donations and cost recovery assisting in the development of professional stan- fees/honoraria for goods and services. dards; • increasing public awareness of the importance of eliminating racism and racial discrimination; • collaborating with all sectors of the economy in insti- tuting and supporting programs and activities, and • supporting and promoting the development of effec- tive policies and programs for the elimination of racism and racial discrimination 1 NEW_01 Eng 9/11/07 11:10 AM Page 2 2006-2007 Governance The direction of the CRRF is vested in a Board of Directors consisting of a chairperson and up to 19 other members. Attempts are made to have at least one representative on the Board from each province or territory. An Executive Director, ex-officio member of the board, manages the CRRF’s day-to-day operations. The Governor-in-Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, appoints all members of the Board and the Executive Director who serves as Chief Executive Officer. According to the Act, the Board of Directors must meet a minimum of twice a year. The Board tries to meet three times a year in a city of a different province or territory. How we do it • Conducts, promotes or sponsors In fulfilling its mandate of educating against racism, the FORUMS, WORKSHOPS AND CON- Canadian Race Relations Foundation: FERENCES; takes part in PANEL DISCUSSIONS, DEVELOPS ANTI-RACISM EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES and • Funds and publishes research through its CONTRACT conducts CONSULTATIONS across the country. RESEARCH PROGRAM on contemporary issues of racism in Canada. • Independently or in partnership with other organizations or community groups, works to develop anti-racism tools in The Foundation issues a call for proposals every two various media, and public service announcements across years. The goal of the Contract Research Program is Canada. UNITE AGAINST RACISM was one such independ- to create a body of research that addresses systemic ent national anti-racism campaign, and work on this ini- racism in Canada. The CRRF’s role and responsibility tiative is ongoing. is to make the research findings and recommenda- tions actionable and to promote the results widely. • Supports, with sponsorship grants of up to $7,500, at least 40 community initiatives across Canada, through the INI- TIATIVES AGAINST RACISM (IAR) program, to raise aware- ness of and combat racism. There are at least two appli- cation deadlines annually. • Recognizes outstanding efforts and contributions to anti- racism every two years through its AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (AofE) program. The categories have been expanded to six. The awards presentation is accompanied by a symposium to share best practices in the area of anti-racism. • Recognizes the lifetime contributions of an individual through The AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT, a new award, which has been presented to the Honourable Lincoln Alexander and this year to Madame Louise Arbour. This award is currently designated for biennial presentations. • Publishes a newsletter – PERSPECTIVES, the FACTS ABOUT… series, annotated bibliographies in the CRITICAL READINGS series, the research journal DIRECTIONS, among other publications. 2 NEW_01 Eng 9/11/07 11:10 AM Page 3 2006-2007 ACTING CHAIR’S MESSAGE If we were called upon to describe the Foundation’s existence over the past ten years, perhaps a most appropriate response would be "a mixed blessing". In 1996, we were given the task of being the sole national organization, created by the Federal Government and the National Association of Japanese Canadians, mandated to lead the fight against racism and racial discrimination. In stages, we had to decide how best to go about doing the job, executing the tasks and assessing the results. Over the 10 years we have witnessed considerable changes, which have not necessarily made our task easier. As one would expect, the events of September 11, 2001 have played a key role in adding complexities to the task. Our biggest hurdle remains convincing Canadians that fighting racism is the responsibility of all.