The agency was formed as a result of an agreement between the federal government and the National Association of Japanese Canadians called the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement which acknowledged that the treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after World War II was unjust and violated principles of human rights. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation, CRRF is a charitable organization that concentrates on fostering racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding within the country with the purpose of eliminating racism. The foundation was opened on November 1997 and continues to be an important leader against racism today. CRRF is led by a board of directors and constitutes various staff members as well as volunteers. The foundation was partly founded by the National Association of Japanese Canadians who negotiated a contribution of $12 million on behalf of its community. The Government of Canada matched that amount to establish CRRF. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation opened its doors in November 1997, following the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act on October 28, 1996. The Act came about after the Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement in which the Government of Canada acknowledges that the treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after WWII was unjust and violated principles of human rights. The foundation's purpose is to "foster racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding and help to eliminate racism". The Canadian Race Relations Foundation operates at arm's length with the government and is registered as a charitable foundation. The CRRF's employees are not part of the Federal Public Service.
One current activity is the development of three 30-second public service announcementtelevision spots into eight languages. These spots have been broadcast on OMNI-TV since February 25, 2010. The theme of these PSA is to "see people for who they really are: Unite Against Racism Campaign". The eight languages used for the PSA reflects the linguistic diversity of the increasing Canadian immigrant population and includes spots in Cantonese, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu. The whole production was funded by Rogers OMNI Television. "The impact of making key anti-racism messages available to multilingual audiences is an important step towards building an inclusive and accepting Canadian society," says Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President of Rogers OMNI Television, which has fully funded the production of the PSAs. "OMNI is privileged to contribute, participate and make a difference in these aspirations." The PSAs are used in the largest multimedia anti-racism campaign in Canada.
Mobilizing municipalities
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation has partnered with the Ontario Human Rights Commission to hold forums that will focus on "Mobilizing Municipalities to Address Racism and Discrimination".
EDIT project
With the collaboration of Images Interculturelles and the CRRF, the Conseil des relations interculturelles of Quebec developed the EDIT project. The EDIT project is an audit tool for organizations who desire to foster, stimulate and increase their growth. The project uses a Human Resources participation point system for organizations to measure at various levels their business model, their ethnocultural diversity management and equity capacity practices.
Research projects
The CRRF has established a niche for research projects that are not traditionally funded by the government. The Foundation has a program that provides funding of up to $7,500 for Initiatives Against Racism to support projects aimed at a broad public audience. Funding support for anti-racism initiatives is provided through the CRRF's Research and Initiatives Against Racism programs. The CRRF does not provide core funding to any organization but will support specific outreach/education initiatives. The CRRF is also consulted by officers from the Multiculturalism program at the Department of Heritage Canada as a key community resource in the national effort to address racism.
Employees/volunteers
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is administered by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chair and up to eleven other directors appointed by the federal government. The selection process is coordinated by the Prime Minister's Office, based on recommendations by the Secretary of State. The CRRF hires staff from time-to-time, but has a small staff and therefore few hirings. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation also takes student placements and volunteers on a case-by-case basis.
Funding
In order to establish the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the National Association of Japanese Canadians negotiated a contribution of $12 million on behalf of its community. The contribution was matched by the Government of Canada to create a $24 million endowment fund to the CRRF.
