Ottawa, January 20, 2009 – Organizations representing Chinese, Italian, Jewish and Indian communities in Canada are being encouraged to submit proposals under the Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP), which commemorates wartime measures and immigration restrictions in Canada’s past.
“As we move toward the completion of the Community Historical Recognition Program and open the third and final call for proposals, I encourage eligible organizations to consider how they might undertake meaningful projects to ensure that their experiences are shared with others,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.
First announced in June 2006 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and formally launched in May 2008 by Minister Kenney, the CHRP is a grants and contributions program that makes $25 million available for community-based commemorative and educational projects related to historical wartime measures and immigration restrictions applied in Canada. Eligible projects include monuments, commemorative plaques, exhibits, documentary films and educational materials and activities.
“The government believes it is important for all Canadians to understand our history,” said Minister Kenney. “This also includes the more unfortunate events that are inconsistent with the values of Canadians today.”
Proposals that meet the program’s criteria are reviewed by advisory committees composed of community representatives whose role is to provide advice on the merits of projects to the Minister through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officials.
To access the CHRP guidelines and application form, please visit the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Alykhan.Velshi@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
