October 16, 1996 - - The Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC) has reviewed the summary section of the Brighton Report prepared for Canadian Heritage's Strategic Review of its Multiculturalism Program. The document is not a public report, however a non-governmental source provided the CEC - a national coalition of 36 ethnocultural organizations - with a copy because of the controversial recommendation regarding funding to ethno-specific organizations.

The CEC has had ongoing dialogue with Canadian Heritage and the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism throughout the review process and understands that announcements on the new Multiculturalism Program will be made shortly. The CEC hopes that the Government will honor its indications, made as recently as May by the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism, that ethnocultural organizations will not be precluded from funding for activities that serve the policy objectives of the Multiculturalism Program.

"We are however concerned that the Brighton Report's negative recommendation on funding to ethnocultural organizations will feed into the backlash against multiculturalism, which is based largely on lack of information and awareness. Even the Brighton Report admits to the benefit of this funding, but recommends that because it is clouded by public misperception it should be changed. This is not logical, nor beneficial to the significant work undertaken by communities on issues critical to the needs of our evolving and diverse Canadian society", said Emmanuel Dick President of the CEC. Mr. Dick elaborated that "The benefit of this work accrues to all Canadians at very little expense. The Canadian public should realize that of the $18.7 million dollars budgeted for Multiculturalism Programs in 1996/97, only approximately 10% supports the integration activities of individual ethnocultural organizations and that this work is greatly supplemented by the human and financial resources of those same communities".

The CEC is pleased that the Brighton Report strongly endorses the continuation of the Federal Multiculturalism Policy. It illustrates that many Canadians are convinced that the multicultural definition of our nation is evolving as an essential aspect of what it is to be a Canadian. However, after 25 years of an official Multiculturalism Policy Canadians need reassurance that a state policy and program are still relevant and required.

The CEC feels that the Brighton Report falls short on its recommendations in the area of consultative input. Inter ministerial and inter provincial committees can serve some needs, however, the Federal Government should not fail to build in an ongoing consultative and advisory role for ethnocultural communities. This important role would serve to broaden the base of information and the number of stakeholders involved in discussing policy problems and their solutions.

At the end of the day, many Canadians will have had input into the renewed Multiculturalism Programs of Canadian Heritage, the Brighton Report being only one source. The CEC was consulted by Canadian Heritage, as were numerous other institutions, organizations and individuals. " Our organization would be amazed if the Government adopted all of our recommendations, and equally as shocked if they subscribed to all of those in the Brighton Report. We look forward to the Government's announcement of a comprehensive Multiculturalism Program that will meet the needs of Canadians", said Dick.

Mr. Dick affirmed that, "The CEC and its membership will continue to work with the Federal Government, its officials and elected representatives to ensure that Canada's Multiculturalism Policy and programs continue to be accountable to all Canadians. Without the involvement of ethnocultural communities in the direction and promotion of Canada's Multiculturalism Policy, there is a danger that the policy will become a fundamental characteristic of Canada in name only and be relegated to vacant praise at gatherings here and abroad". - 30 -

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