March 21st marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination a day of great importance in Park-Extension. Park-Ex is the embodiment of multi-culturalism with Greeks, Italians, Eastern Europeans, Haitians, Chinese and working-class Irish, English, and French living in the small, inner core. In the outer, newer layers: Latino, African (mostly Ghanaian), and the largest most visible group that Park Ex is currently identified with: South Asians — Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis. This unique composition of races makes the Prime-Minister’s message, whose riding is also Park-ex, even more pertinent:
“Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we come together to reject all forms of racism, discrimination, and hatred. While we have made progress with our efforts to fight systemic racism and injustice in Canada and globally, far too many people still face discrimination and hate based on the colour of their skin, their background, or their faith. So today, we reaffirm our commitment to building a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that more work needs to be done to create a fair, equal, and inclusive society. He pointed out in his message that the pandemic has created and exacerbated social and economic exclusion and inequity for Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, and other racialized and religious minority communities.
“As part of the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to combat all forms of anti–Black racism, we officially recognized the United Nation’s International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-24). We are also developing a whole–of–government action plan to eliminate systemic racism, address inequities in the criminal justice system, and improve the social, health, and economic well–being of Black Canadians. In 2020, we launched Canada’s first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program to support Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses. We also committed to developing a Black Canadians Justice Strategy, and last month, we dedicated up to $50 million to support Black-led organizations in building housing, and providing more affordable rental housing for Black households in Canada.” announced the Prime Minister
Continuing to work to eliminate racism in the workplaces as well as in education, health, and social systems by demonstrating leadership, empowering communities, building awareness, and changing attitudes is a priority according to the PM’s message. Whether it is anti-Indigenous, anti-Black, or anti-Asian racism, antisemitism or Islamophobia, Justin Trudeau said that all Canadians have a role to play in calling out racism and discrimination – whenever and wherever they see it.
“As part of Canada’s Anti–Racism Strategy, and with the support of the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat, we will keep tackling discrimination, hate, and systemic inequities in Canada, and work to design more effective legislation, policies, programs, and services that will benefit all Canadians.” concluded the Prime Minister
