Ottawa, March 24, 2011 — Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, today announced the selection of the Vietnamese Canadian Centre (VCC) as the recipient of the $20,000 grant for the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism.
The award commemorates the late Senator Paul Yuzyk’s legacy of promoting multiculturalism as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian identity. It does so by paying tribute to those who build bridges between communities and help immigrants integrate into Canadian society. The award winner receives the right to select an organization that receives a $20,000 grant from the Government of Canada. Mr. Paul Nguyen, winner of the 2010 award has chosen the Vietnamese Canadian Centre.
“Paul Yuzyk truly believed that Canada’s storied history extended beyond two founding nations and encompassed people of many backgrounds,” said Minister Kenney. “That is why he became known as the ‘father of multiculturalism’.
“This grant ensures that the VCC is able to pursue activities in the areas of multiculturalism and diversity. The work of VCC and other community groups who help newcomers to integrate into Canada and promote intercultural understanding between all communities plays a key role in helping build a stronger Canada.”
Founded in 1987, the VCC was established to primarily serve as a resource centre on Vietnamese culture and on issues related to the resettlement and integration of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants in Canada. It provides a focal point for activities of the Vietnamese community in the National Capital Region and acts as a national office for the Vietnamese Canadian Federation, an umbrella organization of the Vietnamese community in this country.
The deadline for submissions for the 2011 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism has now passed. The name of the award recipient will be announced publicly in a press release and the winner will be honoured at a ceremony to be held in June 2011.
For more information, please go to www.multiculturalism.gc.ca/paulyuzyk. A public service announcement (PSA) about the Award can be viewed on CIC’s YouTube Channel at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7gmQ4xy_m4
Media only: Betacam SP copies of the PSA can be requested from CIC Media Relations.
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada
For further information (media only), please contact:
Celyeste Power
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
