The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, on March 21st issued the following statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination:
“Building a world free of racism requires deliberate, continuous efforts to change perceptions and systems that have been in place for many years. On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we come together to renew our commitment to building a more inclusive country and world, where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Despite significant progress, hate and discrimination – including anti-Indigenous, anti-Black, anti-Asian, antisemitic, and Islamophobic – continue to be a lived reality for many people in our communities. With the support of the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat, we continue to take action to combat racial discrimination and tackle its effects on people and communities across the country, including in the health care system. This includes initiatives like the Promoting Health Equity: Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund, which supports community-based projects that promote mental health for Black communities, as well as the new Addressing Racism and Discrimination in Canada’s Health Systems Program, which provides funding for projects that address systemic racism in our health systems.
Internationally, Canada has long been a champion for diversity and inclusion. Guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we continue to respond to the call to build a more peaceful world where human rights and fundamental freedoms are universally respected. Earlier this year, as part of our international efforts, we were proud to sign the Declaration on the North American Partnership for Equity and Racial Justice, which provides a framework for collaboration with the United States and Mexico to combat systemic racism and discrimination.”
Fore more information, please see news release.
