MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French 1
Government of Canada issues statement to mark International Day for People of African Descent
OTTAWA, August 31, 2024
On International Day for People of African Descent, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of people of African descent in Canada and around the world.
For generations, people of African descent have played a vital role in various areas of Canadian society, including science, sport, politics, business, research, education and the arts. They have helped shape the Canadian identity and every day their expertise, efforts and contributions make our communities more prosperous and vibrant.
This day is also an opportunity to reflect on the painful chapters in Canada’s history and the particular challenges that people of African descent still face on a daily basis, such as systemic barriers, racism and discrimination.
The Government of Canada strongly believes in the benefits of inclusion in building a strong, just and prosperous country for generations to come. This principle motivated our commitment to support the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent in 2018. Canada thus became the first country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to officially recognize the UN Decade.
Since then, we have committed up to $872 million for Black-focused initiatives, in areas ranging from racial justice to entrepreneurship to economic dignity. Transformative projects – such as the Black Entrepreneurship Program, the Black-Led Philanthropic Endowment Fund and the Supporting Black Communities in Canada initiative – are supporting Black communities and building the capacity of Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving community organizations across the country.
As the United Nations Decade runs from 2015 to 2024, we announced in February that the federal government’s efforts to promote equity and empowerment for Black communities in Canada would be extended to 2028. In April, I also signalled Canada’s intention to support the call by the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent for a second Decade.
On the occasion of International Day for People of African Descent, I reiterate our commitment to helping Black communities in Canada realize their full potential and build a better, more just and more inclusive future for all.
Alisson LévesqueDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilitiesalisson.levesque@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media RelationsCanadian Heritage819-994-91011-866-569-6155media@pch.gc.ca
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
