October 18, 1996 -- "We are pleased that the Hon. Hedy Fry, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism's news release yesterday clearly stated that the Brighton report is only one small part of a larger review of all multiculturalism programs and that other research materials will be considered in the development of the future direction for the multiculturalism program," said Emmanuel Dick, President of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC). "The CEC, and numerous other organizations who were consulted throughout the review process, can now look forward to some of their recommendations also being reflected in the federal government's final announcements which are due shortly", he added.

The report entitled The Strategic Evaluation of Multiculturalism Programs was made available to the public October 17 by Dr. Fry's office. An unauthorized copy of the report, prepared by Brighton Research last March as part of a comprehensive review of the multiculturalism program of the Department of Canadian Heritage, had been given to a news organization and received extensive coverage in newspapers across the country. The CEC - a national coalition of 36 ethnocultural organizations - was also concerned that some very germane information was not reported. Of the $18.6 million dollars budgeted for Multiculturalism Program in 1996/97 - that's less than 62 cents per Canadian - only approximately 13 per cent 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.

"We are extremely pleased that the Secretary of State has indicated that ethnocultural organizations will not be precluded from funding for activities that serve the policy objectives of the multiculturalism program," added Mr. Dick. "As a core component of Canadian identity, the Multiculturalism Policy will be effective only with a comprehensive multiculturalism program that is inclusive. It must continue to assist in the breaking of barriers to full participation. If well developed, explained and promoted, it can also facilitate a healthy respect for diversity as the cornerstone of a unity strategy for this country," said Dick.

"Dr. Fry's statement and her release of the whole report to the public is also a demonstration of her commitment to transparency. Our Council will review the whole report, once we receive it, and will be pleased to offer further comments and discuss the needs of our members regarding the future direction of the multiculturalism program," concluded Mr. Dick. -30-

Ethnocultural coalition reviews Brighton Report Summary