The Government of Canada supports the TAIBU Community Health Centre’s leadership initiative

“Our government firmly believes that Canada’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. That is why we are proud to support projects like TAIBU’s Leaders in Training Campaign, which will help combat racism and discrimination while highlighting the contributions of the many cultural communities in the Greater Toronto Area.”

—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

“Many Canadians still face barriers related to their identities and our government is taking action to address the needs of these people. I am proud of our support for TAIBU’s campaign to help Black Canadian youth fulfill their full potential as strong leaders.”

—Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament (Scarborough–Rouge River)

"We are looking forward to continuing work with Canadian Heritage to serve the most marginalized communities through this generous financial support. Several partners in the Peel and Durham regions have come together to implement a leadership program for Black youth and continue to invest in building capacity in our next generation. The Leadership in Training is a project that is working towards preparing Black youth for leadership and success".

-Liben Gebremikael, Executive Director, TAIBU Community Health Centre

• Budget 2018 announced $19 million to address the challenges faced by Black Canadians. This included $9 million to enhance community support for youth at risk and $10 million for the Public Health Agency of Canada to develop research in support of more culturally focused mental health programs in the Black Canadian community.

• The Black Canadian population is the third largest visible minority group in Canada, totalling nearly 1.2 million people in 2016. Black Canadian youth ages 15–24 experience disproportionately high dropout rates and have a lower than average labour force participation rate at 52.3 percent while 25.6 percent experience low-income status.

• The Community Support for Black Canadian Youth Initiative, a component of the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives (CSMARI) program, supports efforts to combat discrimination through awareness raising and/or digital literacy; provide opportunities for Black Canadian youth; empower them through the promotion of Black history, culture and identity; and develop leadership skills and encourage civic engagement.

• The TAIBU Community Health Centre is a regional non-profit organization whose mission is to contribute to the maintenance and improvement of the health and well-being of the Black Canadian community across the Greater Toronto Area, as well as Francophone communities and Indigenous communities in Scarborough, with a particular focus on marginalized seniors and youth.

Associated links

• Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program
• TAIBU Community Health Centre

Simon Ross
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca