By Employment and Social Development Canada | August 4, 2021
In Canada, diversity is our strength; that is why the Government of Canada is investing in initiatives that recognize the contributions of Black Canadians, and acknowledge the significant and unique challenges faced by their communities.
Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, highlighted federal investments of up to $96 million through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative.
This includes $82 million in funding to support approximately 1,300 projects to improve Black-led organizations’ workplaces and community spaces over two years. This funding will be made available in 2021–2022 to assess and fund additional renovation/retrofit and equipment projects from existing applications from an initial call for proposals announced in January 2021.
As well, investments under the SBCCI are partly delivered through intermediary organizations who allocate funding to projects that support capacity building at the grassroots level. The Government of Canada will also provide funding of approximately $14 million to the intermediaries to help organizations build the necessary infrastructure they need to better serve Black Canadian communities.
The SBCCI is consistent with the Government of Canada’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion as well as community capacity building and will continue to work hard to take meaningful action for Black Canadians so that they are able to fully participate in all aspects of our society.
“The Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative is an important part of or government’s work to address systemic racism against Black Canadians. That’s why we are taking meaningful action to improve and increase funding for this initiative, more eligible organizations will be able to deliver important projects to benefit Black Canadian communities across the country. Our government is committed to building a better, more prosperous Canada that gives everyone an equal and fair chance at success,” says Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development