Statement from Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander Royal Canadian Navy and National Defence Champion for Visible Minorities, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Statement

March 21, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces                                    

Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander Royal Canadian Navy, issued the following statement:

“Today, Canada joins with many nations across the world to observe the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD).

“By proclaiming this Day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly was responding to events in Sharpeville, South Africa six years earlier, where police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration. Fifty years on, the Day has become a rallying cry to honour human rights and to fight racism and intolerance all over the world.

“As part of the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces’ commemoration of this important day, we hold a national IDERD event each year to reinforce our commitment to diversity in our workforce. It is also our opportunity to celebrate the contributions of visible minorities within the Defence Team, because our people are our greatest asset.

“As National Defence Champion for Visible Minorities, I encourage all members of the Defence Community to do their part in ensuring and demonstrating that ours is a workplace with an enviable culture of openness and equality. Racism and discrimination have absolutely no place in a modern and innovative organization like ours.

“In order to retain the trust and confidence of the Canadians we serve, we must be above reproach in our policies of inclusion, and in our respect for all people, as we strive to attract bright new minds that reflect Canada's cultural, ethnic and linguistic makeup. Our mission success depends on it.”

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For more information, please visit International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

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