MARSTON ON NARCC: Multiculturalism critic pushes for renewed funding for the Canadian Anti-Racism Council of Canada

FROM HANSARD - House of Commons

Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, the National Anti-Racism Council of Canada is an international leader in research, education and advocacy to end racism, yet the Minister of Canadian Heritage has refused to renew funding for NARC, a crippling blow to that organization.

NARC educates and advocates for an end to racial profiling. It fights to end the biases in our media. It strives to end racism in our communities. It educates youth and other community leaders on how to identify and fight the root causes of racism and hatred. Knowing this, it begs the question, what is it about NARC's work that the government does not like?

Canadians want their government to stand up to hate, to stand up to racism and to stand up to intolerance in our communities. To do that the government has to invest. It has to invest to give the leaders in fighting racism and hatred the tools and resources to do this valuable work.

It is time for the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism to support the National Anti-Racism Council of Canada. It is time to renew its funding.