Over the years in the Federal Government’s Speech from the Throne, Canadians have listened to promises made and then watched them quickly disappear.
Like for instance when in 2001 the Government of Canada said in the Throne Speech:
“We must ensure that every region, every province and territo ry, every community, and every citizen has a strong voice and can contribute to building our nation.”
“In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Government of Canada will be guided by the values of Canadians. It will work with other levels of government, the private and voluntary sectors, and individual citizens.”
That sentiment was apparently not shared by their Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, the Honourable Stephane Dion. He expressed in his letter to me dated April 19, 2001 that “I concur with you that there is a need to encourage Canadians to participate fully in shaping the future of our country. I regret that the Government of Canada could not provide support for the proposal you submitted”.
Let’s fast forward a few years to 2007. There has been a change in political leadership and we are told that this new Canadian Government is going to do things differently. They promise us they are going to be transparent and more in touch with the average Canadian.
This new federal government is not very forthright with Canadians as I recently discovered and I have the documentation to prove it.
On the 4th of January, 2007 Prime Minister Harper announced the appointment of Jason Kenney as Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity). The press release from the Prime Minister stated “Jason Kenney is an experienced Member of Parliament who has ably served me as my Parliamentary Secretary. He has done exemplary work for the Government with New Canadians and all multicultural communities. He will continue to work with them to ensure that Canada works for all of us”.
Because of my continued indirect contact with the Canadian Government over a period of several years, I knew that they had never implemented a muticultural exchange initiative for the long-term benefit and participation of all Canadians that could be reasonably compared to the Canadian Unity Travel Club.
The federal government has year after year handed out millions upon millions of taxpayers dollars to pro-federalist, not-for-profit organizations for some projects that have never seen the light of day and others that were so insignificant in participation numbers and tangible results that their effectiveness cannot be accurately substantiated.
The federal government continues to fund an exchange program for the youth ages 14 to 17 years with limited annual participation. This new government has committed $2.4 million dollars each year over 5-years to this youth exchange program called Encounters with Canada.
On the 7th of February, 2007 I wrote Jason Kenney a letter introducing him to the Canadian Unity Travel Club and outlined the importance of this multicultural national project for Canadians and newcomers from all cultural backgrounds. I said that “We want to know what the new Government of Canada would be willing to do in support of this very worthwhile and overdue national multicultural initiative for Canadians.”
On the 13th of April, 2007 this was in part Mr. Kenney’s response. He said “I appreciate your advising me of your organization’s activities and its efforts aimed at introducing Canadians to an innovative approach to travel and an understanding of what it means to be Canadian. However, the Department of Canadian Heritage does not have any program that could provide support for the type of endeavour that you describe”.
Jason Kenney’s letter further went on to say “The Multiculturalism Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage supports projects that address issues of full participation in Canadian society, as well as those that facilitate collective community initiatives and responses to ethnic, racial, religious and cultural conflict and hate-motivated activities. To be eligible for Multicultural Program funding, projects must propose solutions and produce measurable results that contribute to long-term social change. Projects designed to raise awareness and understanding about diversity must also have a strong educational component, facilitate public dialogue and support sustained action.”
Did the Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) actually mean what he said or was this letter written by a government bureaucrat from the ‘writing pool’ on his behalf. I contacted his office and was assured that Mr. Kenney is aware of the content of his correspondence and that his signature at the bottom of the page was by his own pen and is authentic. Could have fooled me!!
Fellow Canadians, it is time for us to put these MP’s feet to the fire. We need more accountability from members of parliament and less smoke and mirrors.
Have you ever had an important private sector initiative relating to help build an inclusive society for visible minorities in your community that was rejected for funding support by the Government of Canada? Or even the Provincial Government?
I would like to hear your story.
Your assignment should you choose to accept it.
Contact Jason Kenney at E-mail: jason_kenney@parl.gc.ca and cc: info@canadianunitytravelclub.ca
The first question that you should direct to Jason Kenney is what does he have planned for your community as minister responsible for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity that offer people of visible minorities the means by which to feel they are truly a stakeholder in the future of Canada.
Which particular programs has he either supported or initiated through the Multiculturalism Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage to improve the status of visible minorities and bring awareness to multiculturalism.
Request his office provide you with audited statements that reflect federal government funds granted to not-for-profit organizations across Canada in promoting programs for multiculturalism and visible minorities as compared to funding for similar private sector initiatives.
Don’t give up - as taxpayers we have the right to know how they are spending our money. If you do not get a response back within a reasonable time (aside from the maze of contributing writers that are hired to respond to the minister’s mail, they always reply by snail mail so don’t expect a reply within at least two months) you may want to contact Senior Special Assistant, Alykhan Velshi at 819 934-1122 or E-mail him at alykhan_velshi@pch.gc.ca
Also contact your local Member of Parliament.
Good luck - let me know how you made out!
Diane R. St. John