Up-Front Multi-Year Funding

Name of recipient: Global Centre for Pluralism (GCP)

Start date: 2006–2007, One-time conditional grant

End date: Perpetual

Total funding: $30 million

Description: The GCP is an independent, not-for-profit, secular, Canadian corporation with international reach. It is co-founded by the Aga Khan Development Network and the Government of Canada and is headquartered in Ottawa. It addresses a global gap in institutions that advocate pluralism as a foundation for governance, peace and human development at the international level through four core functions:

• sustaining an international policy dialogue on pluralism in governance, elections, judicial systems, media and education to help factions integrate in states at risk;
• providing programs for academic and professional development;
• fostering research and learning on pluralism; and
• fostering and sharing the results of research and learning on pluralism.

These activities will primarily target the developing world, offering a platform from which existing organizations and experts on pluralism in Canada can reach an international audience.

Strategic outcome(s): Newcomers and citizens participate in fostering an integrated society.

Summary of results achieved by the recipient: The GCP has pursued a deliberate institution-building course and has continued to realize its commitments under the funding agreement in 2013. The board of directors met, three subcommittees functioned according to their terms of reference and members met as required, appointed auditors and considered the appointment of a new director. An annual report and corporate plan were provided as required.

In 2012, the GCP board approved a three-year Strategic Program for 2013–2015. In 2013, the GCP launched selected aspects of the Strategic Program, including a research initiative to identify the drivers of civic cohesion and fragmentation in diverse societies with a particular focus on Kenya and Kyrgyzstan. It increased its programmatic capacity by committing over $1 million of program spending in 2013, measured against $57,000 in 2011, with a further increase projected through 2014. In October 2013, the third annual GCP Forum took place on drivers of group rights claims in divided societies. In April 2014, the fourth GCP Forum focused on pluralism and public accountability in Kenya. A 2013 Annual Lecture was given, and the centre’s Web site was revitalized to make the content more accessible and to highlight the organization’s strategic direction.

The Aga Khan Foundation Canada continued to provide select corporate services to the GCP, including interim premises, as an in-kind contribution. The GCP continued to develop its future international headquarters at 330 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, with occupancy expected in 2017.

Comments on variance: N/A

Significant evaluation findings by the recipient during the reporting year and future plan: The funding agreement that governs the Government of Canada’s relationship with the GCP requires an evaluation of the centre’s success in achieving outcomes every five years. The next evaluation will be undertaken in 2016.

Significant audit findings by the recipient during the reporting year and future plan:
The funding agreement also requires a performance (value-for-money) audit to be conducted every five years. The next audit will be undertaken in 2016.

Link to recipient’s Web site: www.pluralism.ca

Name of recipient: Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko

Start date: 2008–09, One-time conditional grant

End date: Funding agreement governing endowment ends in May 2023

Total funding: $10 million

Description: Recognizing the historical significance of the First World War internment of “enemy aliens,” the Government of Canada provided a conditional grant of $10 million under the Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP) to the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko for the establishment and management of an endowment fund known as the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund. (This funding was provided on a one-time basis when CHRP was managed by the Department of Canadian Heritage.) Affected communities include Ukrainians, Poles, Italians, Bulgarians, Croatians, Turks, Serbians, Hungarians, Russians, Jews and Romanians. Through calls for proposals managed by the Foundation, applicants apply for financial support for activities that commemorate, acknowledge and educate Canadians about the experiences of communities affected by internment and the subsequent contributions of these communities to shaping Canada. The funding agreement will remain in effect for 15 years.

Strategic outcome: Newcomers and citizens participate in fostering an integrated society.

Summary of results achieved by the recipient: In 2013–2014, the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko supported educational resources, research and historical exhibits focused on raising awareness of the Canadian First World War internment operations.

Comments on variance: N/A

Significant evaluation and audit findings by the recipient during the reporting year and future plan: An evaluation and audit report covering the fiscal years 2009 to 2013 showed that the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund is operating in an economic, efficient and effective manner, and that appropriate processes and frameworks have been set in place. Recommendations contained in the report to improve the fund’s investment strategy will be implemented by the Foundation.

Link to recipient’s Web site: www.internmentcanada.ca