What is the mission of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF)?
The CRRF is committed to building a national framework to help address racism in Canadian society by:
What are its goals/objectives?
The CRRF aims to create and nurture an inclusive society based on equity, social harmony, mutual respect and dignity.
Why was it created?
The CRRF was created as part of a 1988 agreement between the Government of Canada and the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC). The Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement acknowledges the government's wrongful treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after World War II. As a symbolic redress for those injustices, the Agreement provided individual compensation to Japanese Canadians. Also, the NAJC negotiated a contribution of $12 million on behalf of its community, matched by an equal amount from the Government of Canada, to create a one-time $24 million endowment to establish the CRRF. The Foundation has operated on income derived from the investing of the endowment capital, grants, contracts and donations.
What is the organizational profile of the CRRF?
* Board of Directors
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chairperson and up to 11 other Directors from across Canada, taking into account the multicultural character, linguistic duality and regional diversity of Canadian society, and each appointed for a term of up to four years.
The Foundation has a small core staff consisting of a full-time Executive Director appointed by the Governor in Council, who oversees the day-to-day operations and is ex officio a member of the Board, but has no vote; a Director, Finance and Administration, an Executive Assistant, and a number of full-time or part-time positions relating to communications, program, outreach, financial and administrative responsibilities. Additional staff are engaged on a project-specific basis, as well as engaging volunteers and interns.
Who is on the Board of Directors and how do you become a member?
Members of the Board of Directors are appointed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister designated as the Minister for the purposes of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. If you would like more information about this, please go to https://www.appointments-nominations.gc.ca/
Are you part of the Government?
The CRRF operates at arm's length from the government, and its employees are not part of the Federal Public Service. The CRRF has registered charitable status. While the head office of the Foundation is located in the City of Toronto, its activities are national in scope.
Are there any job openings? I would like to get involved as a volunteer in the area of race relations. Is the Foundation looking for volunteers?
The CRRF hires staff from time to time, but has a small staff and therefore few hirings. When there are openings, the jobs are posted on-line on the CRRF website and at Charity Village: http://www.charityvillage.com
The CRRF takes student placements and volunteers on a case-by-case basis. For more information, call 1-888-240-4936 or send an e-mail to .
REDRESS AGREEMENT
I would like to know more about the Japanese-Canadian experience and Redress Agreement
The CRRF has produced a Fact Sheet and an Annotated Bibliography about the Japanese Canadian experience. The LibGuide on this topic may be found here. The fact sheet may be found here. To access information regarding the Japanese-Canadian experience and the Redress Agreement in the CRRF digital and physical holdings, visit the CRRF webpage at www.crrf-fcrr.ca, go to the Clearinghouse in the “Research” tab, and search ”Japanese-Canadians”.
INFORMATION SOURCES READINGS
Can you suggest information sources (books, readings, reports) about racism, Canadian identity, best practices, etc.?
Browse our website and Clearinghouse, and check out our collection of bibliographies, articles, fact sheets and links to government departments and research centres. Many specific regions and cities have guides and toolkits regarding race relations pertaining to their unique demographic composition. Check your local regional website and review their resources.
Finally, ask your local librarian for information about racism in Canada. Most major municipal libraries have collections in this area.
INFORMATION SOURCES VIDEOS
Can you suggest videos that we can use for our class presentation or community meeting?
The CRRF has a small library of videos. This information is compiled on our YouTube page. The National Film Board of Canada also hosts a vast source of videos on racism. NFB videos are available at major municipal libraries across Canada. You can visit the NFB's website to review titles and see descriptions of their videos.
INFORMATION SOURCES SPEAKERS
Our organization is planning a conference (workshop, professional development day) on racism. Can the Foundation supply us with a speaker?
Yes. The CRRF is happy to assist in this capacity. Please email us at .
CUSTOM RESEARCH SERVICES
Can the Foundation carry out extensive research requests?
The Foundation is an information sharing, public awareness and research organization. It undertakes independent research on current issues identified as priorities, as well as annual public surveys. It cannot respond to ad hoc research requests.
As a Clearinghouse of race relations information and contacts, the Foundation can however, provide assistance to individuals requesting basic information and materials. Extensive research assistance services can be provided on a fee-for-service basis by other institutions.
INFORMATION SOURCES
How many visible minorities are there in Canada? How many Indigenous Peoples?
Statistics Canada is the publisher of the most detailed statistical information about Canada's population. A number of local libraries across Canada carry Statistics Canada's reports. Ask your local librarian if these are available at your library. For statistical information about Canada's population please visit the Statistics Canada website at http://www.statcan.ca
We would like to get core funding for our organization. How can the Foundation assist us?
The CRRF's mandate is to build a national framework to help address racism in Canadian society. The CRRF does not provide core funding to any organization, but often partners with other organizations on specific issues.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLAINTS
I have a problem at my workplace or school related to racial discrimination. Can the Foundation provide me with assistance?
The Foundation is not an advocacy organization but a resource. As such it makes no formal interventions on individual cases, but may bring to bear its available information and expertise on racist incidents, media reports, interpretations, laws, court decisions and recommendations.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
I would like information about federal government services (examples: immigration, taxation, agriculture, and veteran affairs) Where can I go for information?
To locate the federal government department or agency responsible, search the federal government electronic directory at www.canada.ca
How can I reach the CRRF?
You can reach the CRRF in the following ways:
Telephone:
1-888-240-4936 (toll free)
1-416-441-1900
Fax machine:
1-888-399-0333 (toll free)
1-416-441-2752
Website access:
www.crrf-fcrr.ca
Mail:
6 Garamond Court, Suite 225
Toronto, Ontario M3C 1Z5