Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the following statement today to mark Canada’s Multiculturalism Day:
“Today is Canadian Multiculturalism Day, an opportunity to reflect on and embrace the idea that we are all Canadians, no matter what our background or where we come from. Communities across Canada weave our identity through a web of languages, traditions and beliefs.
“Canada was the first country in the world to officially recognize multiculturalism as a core value by enacting the Canadian Multiculturalism Act as a guiding principle for our country in 1988. The law aims to foster a society where everyone can thrive and where our diverse cultures and heritage, including indigenous languages, customs, history and practices, are celebrated.
“Our work is far from over to truly build a country where racially motivated people, indigenous peoples and religious minorities can live free from systemic racism and discrimination. That’s why the Canadian government is renewing Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and creating a new Action Plan to Combat Hate. The new strategy will build on the work we began in 2019 to remove systemic barriers and advance equal opportunity for all Canadians, including our commitment to address calls from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund and of our National Housing Strategy.
“As we mark Canadian Multiculturalism Day, we celebrate Canadians of all backgrounds and recommit to fostering an inclusive and welcoming society where everyone has equal opportunities. Let us stand together, united in our commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and justice for all.”
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