HUMA committee briefing binder: Appearance by the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities – December 11, 2023 (2024)

Overview

The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) has invited you to appear in view of its study of the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2023 to 2024.

Committee Proceedings

Your appearance is scheduled to take place on December 11, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

You will appear on a panel with Minister Boissonnault, and be accompanied by:

• Paul Thompson, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development
• Karen Robertson, Chief Financial Officer
• Lori MacDonald, Chief Operating Officer, Service Canada and Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development

You have no outstanding follow up written responses due to the Committee.

It is anticipated that you will receive general questions about the implementation of the Canada Disability Benefit (CBD) and when the benefits will be available. You may also have questions on the Parliamentary Budget Officer's report on the potential costing of the CBD. You may also be asked about the recent rise of antisemitism and islamophobia in Canada. Some questions may focus on the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative.

HUMA has agreed that questioning of witnesses would be allocated as follows:

In round one, there are 6 minutes for each party in the following order:

• Conservative Party
• Liberal Party
• Bloc Québécois and
• New Democratic Party

For the second and subsequent rounds, the order and time for questioning is as follows:

• Conservative Party, 5 minutes
• Liberal Party, 5 minutes
• Bloc Québécois, 2 and a half minutes
• New Democratic Party, 2 and a half minutes
• Conservative Party, 5 minutes and
• Liberal Party, 5 minutes

Committee members biography

Chad Collins Liberal Party Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, Ontario 

Michael Coteau, Liberal Party, Don Valley East, Ontario

Wayne Long, Liberal Party, Saint John and Rothesay, New Brunswick

Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal Party PS to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, London North Center, Ontario

Robert (Bobby) J. Morrissey, Liberal Party, Egmont, Prince Edward Island

Tony Van Bynen, Liberal Party, Newmarket and Aurora, Ontario

Rosemarie Falk, Conservative Party, Associate Labour Critic, Battlefords and Lloydminster, Saskatchewan 

Michelle Ferreri, Conservative Party for Families, Children and Social Development Critic, Peterborough and Kawatha, Ontario 

Tracy Gray, Conservative Party Employment, Future Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Critic, Calgary, Midnapore, Kelowna, Lake Country, British Columbia

Scott Aitchison, Conservative Party, Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Critic, Parry Sound and Muskoka, Ontario

Bonita Zarrillo, New Democratic Party, Disability Inclusion Critic, Port Moody and Coquitlam, British Columbia 

Louise Chabot, Bloc Québecois, Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Critic, Thérèse-De Blainville, Quebec 

Issue

Progress on the implementation of the Canada Disability Benefit.

Background

• The Canada Disability Benefit Act received Royal Assent on June 22, 2023
• The Act establishes the framework for the Benefit, with key details of the Benefit-including the amount, eligibility criteria and other features-to be addressed in future regulations
• The current phase of engagement to inform the development of the regulations was launched in August 2023, and includes roundtables and bilateral meetings with stakeholder organizations and persons with lived experience and an online engagement tool. The engagement will continue until early winter 2023 to 2024

Key facts

• The Government has engaged the disability community and other stakeholders on the Canada Disability Benefit, and the broader Disability Inclusion Action Plan, since 2021 through a variety of means, including virtual roundtables, bilateral meetings, an online survey, as well as disability community-led engagement and Indigenous community-led engagement
• Budget 2023 committed $21.5 million in 2023 to support initial implementation, including supporting the development of the administration of the benefit and to support engagement with the disability community and provinces and territories on the regulatory process. $12.5 million of the Budget 2023 amount was for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and $9 million was for CRA to provide relevant information
• Supported through funding from Budget 2023, on November 15, 2023, as part of the regulatory design phase of engagement on the Benefit, the Government launched the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations Online Engagement Tool. This tool outlines the various sections that will be included in the regulations and provides a platform through which individuals and organizations can submit briefs and perspectives on the design of the Benefit. The tool is available until December 21, 2023. In its first 2 weeks, approximately 1,200 substantive responses were submitted through the tool
• As of November 29, 2023, 6 ministerial and technical roundtables have been held with persons with disabilities and disability stakeholder organizations as part of the current phase of engagement, with 2 further technical roundtables planned to take place in December
• Following the regulatory design phase of engagement, regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette and there will be further opportunity to engage with a broad range of persons with disabilities on the specifics of the design of the Canada Disability Benefit
• The Canada Disability Benefit Act will come into force no later than the first anniversary of the day on which it received Royal Assent (which is no later than June 22, 2024). The Act requires that within 12 months of the coming into force (no later than June 21, 2025), the Governor in Council make regulations necessary to enable the Benefit to be paid. This sets a maximum date by which regulations are to be made and does not preclude regulations being made sooner
• The Act does not need to be in force for the regulatory process to proceed, however a funding decision is required prior to publishing the regulations

Key messages

• The Government is very aware of the fact that many Canadians with disabilities are in need of the additional financial support that this benefit will provide. The intent is to move forward as quickly as possible while also ensuring that the design and implementation of the Benefit are managed in a way that maximizes its positive impacts and minimizes any potential negative impacts
• In the spirit of Nothing Without Us, and as required by the Canada Disability Benefit Act, the Government is conducting an accessible engagement process with a broad range of persons with disabilities, disability stakeholder organizations and others to inform the development and design of the regulations for the Benefit
• The Government wants to ensure that Canadians with disabilities and other stakeholders have the time and opportunity to be fully engaged. As such, the timing for when the Benefit could start to be paid depends on several factors, including the extent of comments received after the draft regulations are pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I and any changes that may be required before the regulations are finalized
• The value of the Benefit will be addressed in the regulations and informed by engagement with the disability community, other stakeholders, and the provinces and territories. In making the regulations, the Government will take into consideration various factors, including those set out in the Act such as the Official Poverty Line. Ultimately, the amount of the Benefit will be part of the federal budget process, and will, as such, need to be voted on in Parliament

Issue

What progress has the government made to fulfill its mandate commitment to build the capacity of national disability organizations?

Background

Social Development Partnership Program- Disability Component (SDPP-D) supports a3.c. Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP)

Issue

How is the government advancing implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).

Background

• The December 2021 mandate letter for the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Inclusion committed to finalizing and releasing a DIAP
• The Government released Canada's first-ever DIAP in October 2022. The Action Plan has 4 pillars:
  • financial security
  • employment
  • accessible and inclusive communities
  • adopting a modern approach to disability
• Key actions to be implemented under the DIAP include the development of a new Canada Disability Benefit and an Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities
• Budgets in 2022 and 2023 made significant initial investment to advance the implementation of the DIAP including:
  • $10 million over 2 years starting in 2023 to help address the unique needs and ongoing barriers faced by persons with disabilities by investing in capacity building and the community-level work of Canada's Disability organizations (included in Supplementary estimates B 2023)
  • $21.5 million in 2023 to continue work on the future delivery of the Canada Disability Benefit, including engagement with the disability community and provinces and territories on the regulatory process (included in Supplementary estimates B 2023)
  • $10 million over 2 years starting in 2024 for the Enabling Accessibility Fund 
• Other DIAP commitments announced previously in Budget 2022 include:
  • $276.5 million over 5 years, and $185 million on going, to support the implementation of an employment strategy for persons with disabilities through the Opportunities Fund. (This was in last year's supplementary estimates B in 2022.) This is to help to address labour market shortages through increased participation by persons with disabilities and make workplaces more inclusive and accessible. Of this funding, $20 million will be allocated to the Ready, Willing and Able program to help persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder or intellectual disabilities find employment
  • $25 million over 5 years to: support the production of alternative format materials by the Centre for Equitable Library Access and the National Network for Equitable Library Service; conduct research to better understand gaps in the availability of accessible reading materials; and launch a new Equitable Access to Reading Program to boost the production of accessible format reading materials through innovative partnerships

Key facts

• There are 6.2 million persons with disabilities in Canada. That is about 22% of the Canadian population. Persons with disabilities reflect the diversity and composition of the population of Canada, across age groups, ethnicity and race and gender. They face many longstanding social and economic inequalities
• The disability community and its representative organizations lack the resources to adequately meet demands on their capacity to provide their expertise and perspective to Government. The role and composition of groups representing persons with disabilities continues to evolve. There has been an increasing awareness of the need to consider the intersectionality of disability groups with other marginalized groups
• To fulfill this mandate commitment, approximately $8.8 million in grants and contribution funding over 2 years beginning in fiscal year 2023 to 2024 of the funding from Budget 2023 will be allocated through 2 initiatives as follows:
  • $2 million ($1 million in fiscal year 2023 to 2024) to support a LIFT Impact Partners project that will enable not for profit disability organizations to enhance their organizational capacity through a peer cohort model. (Organization based in British Columbia)
  • $6.8 million ($3.2 million in fiscal year 2023 to 2024) to support national not for profit disability organizations that are successful in the Fall 2023 Organizational Capacity Development and Intersectional Capacity Development CFP

Key messages

• Building up the internal capacity of disability organizations enables them to participate in and contribute to Government efforts to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities, in accordance with the principle of "Nothing without Us". This includes the capacity of disability organizations to meet the demand being placed on them to be involved in the development and implementation of initiatives to advance their inclusion
• Enabling the disability community to have the skills and resources to work alongside Government will amplify the positive impact of federal spending and new initiatives

Issue

How is the government advancing implementation of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).

Background

• The December 2021 mandate letter for the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Inclusion committed to finalizing and releasing a DIAP
• The Government released Canada's first-ever DIAP in October 2022. The Action Plan has 4 pillars:
  • financial security
  • employment
  • accessible and inclusive communities
  • adopting a modern approach to disability
• Key actions to be implemented under the DIAP include the development of a new Canada Disability Benefit and an Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities
• Budgets in 2022 and 2023 made significant initial investment to advance the implementation of the DIAP including:
  • $10 million over 2 years starting in 2023 to help address the unique needs and ongoing barriers faced by persons with disabilities by investing in capacity building and the community-level work of Canada's Disability organizations (included in Supplementary Estimates B 2023)
  • $21.5 million in 2023 to continue work on the future delivery of the Canada Disability Benefit, including engagement with the disability community and provinces and territories on the regulatory process (included in Supplementary Estimates B 2023)
  • $10 million over 2 years starting in 2024 for the Enabling Accessibility Fund 
• Other DIAP commitments announced previously in Budget 2022 include:
  • $276.5 million over 5 years, and $185 million on going, to support the implementation of an employment strategy for persons with disabilities through the Opportunities Fund. (This was in last year's supplementary estimates B in 2022.) This is to help to address labour market shortages through increased participation by persons with disabilities and make workplaces more inclusive and accessible. Of this funding, $20 million will be allocated to the Ready, Willing and Able program to help persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder or intellectual disabilities find employment
  • $25 million over 5 years to: support the production of alternative format materials by the Centre for Equitable Library Access and the National Network for Equitable Library Service; conduct research to better understand gaps in the availability of accessible reading materials; and launch a new Equitable Access to Reading Program to boost the production of accessible format reading materials through innovative partnerships

Key facts

• The first annual update on the Disability Inclusion Action Plan is scheduled to be released the week after International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on December 8th, 2023. The annual update will show progress on action items across the 4 pillars of the DIAP that have taken place since summer 2022
• Supplementary estimates B advances the DIAP through investments in the Social Development Partnerships Program (Disability) program to support capacity for disability organizations

Key messages

• As outlined in the annual update recently posted online, the Government has made significant progress in implementing the DIAP, including:
  • Royal Assent for the Canada Disability Benefit Act, an important step towards reducing poverty and increasing the financial security of working age persons with disabilities
  • engaging with persons with print disabilities and stakeholders to develop a new Equitable Access to Reading Program to launch in 2024
  • making significant investments in the Opportunities Fund to support employment for persons with disabilities
  • making significant investments in the Enabling Accessibility Fund to improve the accessibility of shelters, childcare spaces, communities and workplaces
  • publishing new standards under the Accessible Canada Act
  • launching the Disability Inclusion Business Council to champion and advance accessibility and inclusion in the workplace
• Supplementary Estimates B contains key investments that will help to advance the DIAP including investments to advance work to support engagement with persons with disabilities and establish the administration of the Canada Disability Benefit. It also supports a key commitment to support building the capacity of national disability organizations
• The government will continue working closely with the disability community to implement the DIAP, ensuring it meets the needs of persons with disabilities
• The lived experiences of persons with disabilities have informed every part of the Action Plan. Through engagement efforts, we heard about the valuable contributions that persons with disabilities make in our communities and our economy. We know that persons with disabilities face barriers to social and economic participation due to discrimination, stereotypes, and systemic exclusion. Although we have made significant progress, there is more work to be done

Issue

Most disability organizations are strongly opposed to the legislative changes passed by Parliament on March 17, 2021, to remove the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) eligibility requirement that one's natural death must be reasonably foreseeable.

Background

• In January and February 2020, Minister Qualtrough, along with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General and Minister of Health, attended consultation meetings across Canada to discuss the Government's response to the September 2019 Truchon decision. In the Truchon decision, the Quebec Court of Appeal found the MAID requirement that one's natural death must be reasonably foreseeable violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• These consultation meetings included discussion about appropriate safeguards under MAID. Representatives of the disability community participated in these discussions
• In March 2021, the Government passed a law to remove the MAID eligibility requirement that one's natural death must be reasonably foreseeable. Minister Qualtrough fulfilled a key commitment in her 2019 mandate letter by supporting the Minister of Health and Justice in responding to this court ruling
• Disability organizations strongly opposed to MAID outside of an end-of-life context generally raise following concerns:
  • the proposed changes promote stigma and prejudice against persons with disabilities
  • consultations with the Government of Canada on MAID with persons with disabilities were insufficient, and
  • experiences with stigma, poverty and gaps in the system of support are influencing the decision of persons with disabilities to access MAID
• Following the legislative changes to MAID on March 17, 2021, a Special Joint Parliamentary Committee on MAID (AMAD) was formed to undertake a review of issues related to MAID, including the protection of Canadians with disabilities. The final report was tabled on February 15, 2023. AMAD's final report highlighted the general concerns that disability organizations have been raising in regards to MAID, including financial insecurity
• The Government Response to AMAD's report, tabled on June 15, 2023, acknowledged the need for action across all governments, sectors and society to reduce economic and social barriers to inclusion. The Response also recognized the need to address knowledge gaps on MAID and disability, such as through regulations

Key facts

• The Government of Canada and the provincial and territorial governments share responsibilities for both MAID and supporting persons with disabilities. While federal MAID legislation sets out the framework for the legal provision of MAID in Canada, provinces and territories are responsible for oversight, delivery of health care services and regulation of medical professionals
• Under the MAID monitoring regulations, Health Canada is responsible for obtaining data on MAID trends, including the profiles of those who are accessing MAID, through the provinces and territories. As required by the changes to MAID law in March 2021, these regulations were amended to collect additional data about disability and other disadvantaged groups to develop a more accurate picture of who is accessing MAID. These amendments came into force on January 1, 2023
• Health Canada is also taking other steps to supplement data reported under the MAID monitoring regulations. This includes developing a research plan and striking an Expert Reference Network (ERN) to function as a resource for discussion on the research plan and MAID delivery practices. Health Canada plans to provide more details to Employment and Social Development Canada about the composition and role of this Expert Reference Network
• Health Canada currently has 2 individuals appointed to the ERN for their expertise on disability issues- Dr. Mary Anne McColl, who is a professor at Queen's University and the Academic Lead for the Canadian Disability Alliance, and Josh Vander Vies, who currently serves as a member of MDAG
• The changes to MAID law passed in March 2021 also included a provision that temporarily excluded MAID for those suffering from a mental illness alone until March 17, 2023. However, Parliament subsequently passed legislation to postpone this expiration until March 17, 2024. The concerns of the disability community are expected to gain a lot more attention closer to the expiry in March 2024 if no further extensions are passed

Key messages

• As we heard from witness testimony at Parliamentary committees, the disability community is concerned about the influence of longstanding socioeconomic barriers and systemic ableism faced by persons with disabilities. Taking action to reduce these barriers to inclusion is an important role that we all share across governments, sectors and society
• I am committed to working with my federal colleagues as well as with my provincial and territorial counterparts to ensure that we collectively support persons with disabilities to live in dignity, participate meaningfully in all aspects of life and are valued for their contributions
• It will also be important to understand exactly how and when MAID is being accessed. Recently, Health Canada implemented changes to the Federal MAID Monitoring System through regulatory amendments to improve data collection and support analysis of inequality or disadvantage in the MAID system

Access to alternate format reading material

Access to reading materials in alternate formats such as Braille, large print, and audio is critical for persons with print disabilities to fully participate in Canada's economy, culture, and society.

Background

• From 2005 to 2021, the Government of Canada provided almost $40 million in ad hoc funding to CNIB, Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) to convert reading materials into alternate formats and provide them to persons with print disabilities. The launch of the new EARP will provide consistent, predictable, long-term funding to organizations that support making alternate formats reading materials available to persons with print disabilities.
• In 2020, as an early action item under the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, the Government committed to "permanently improve access to alternate format reading materials for persons with print disabilities". To meet this mandate commitment, Budget 2022 invested $38 million over 7 years to provide long-term, predictable funding to support the production of reading materials in alternate formats for persons with print disabilities. This funding included:
  • $5 million over 2 years, beginning in 2022, to support the production of alternate formats by Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and National Network for Equitable Library Services (NNELS)
  • $500,000 over 2 years, beginning in 2022, for research on the needs of persons with print disabilities
  • $32.5 million over 5 years to launch the Equitable Access to Reading Program (EARP), beginning in 2024, to boost the production of accessible format reading materials through innovative partnerships

Key facts

• In October 2022, ESDC received an initial $5 million that was announced in Budget 2022 through Supplementary Estimates B to provide support to CELA and NNELS in 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024, and $500,000 for a Statistics Canada survey to inform the EARP
• ESDC signed contribution agreements with CELA and NNELS in July 2023 to provide funding for 2023 and 2024, Statistics Canada released its survey results on October 3, 2023.
• In December 2023, ESDC is seeking Treasury Board approval to access the remaining $32.5 million in funding announced in Budget 2022 to launch the EARP, beginning in 2025. The new EARP will be launched in 2024, pending Parliamentary approval of the Main Estimates in March 2024, which will increase ESDC's annual reference levels by $32.5 million to launch and administer the EARP.

Key messages

• With approximately 5.2 million persons with disabilities having a print disability, the Government of Canada recognized the need for more measures to improve the availability of alternate formats to ensure their full inclusion in society and the economy.
• As an early action to implement the Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Budget 2022 provided $38 million in funding, beginning in 2022, to improve access to alternate format reading materials for persons with print disabilities through the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS), conduct research on the needs of persons with print disabilities, and launch a new Equitable Access to Reading Program (EARP) in 2024 to boost the availability of reading materials in alternate formats.
• To implement these commitments on alternate formats ESDC:
  • signed a total of $5 million in contribution agreements with CELA and NNELS to supports the production of alternate format reading materials as ESDC develops the EARP. The agreements to provide funding for 2022 and 2023 were signed in autumn 2022, while those to provide funding for 2023 and 2024 were signed in July 2023
  • conducted a Statistics Canada Survey between March and April 2023 and to assess the needs of persons with print disabilities to inform the EARP. Survey results were released on Statistics Canada's website in October 2023. In addition, ESDC undertook engagement with a wide range of disability organizations and other stakeholders implicated in alternate formats. A What Was Heard report on this engagement will be forthcoming in the new year

Issue

Combatting Systemic Racism and Hate in Canada

Background

• The Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion was mandated in 2021 to work "across government and in close collaboration with communities to renew Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy," and "continue to strengthen and support the important work of the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat to ensure a whole-of-government approach in addressing systemic racism, including through increased resources."
• Budget 2022 provided $85 million over 4 years starting in 2022 to 2023, for the development of Canada's new Anti-Racism Strategy and funding for initiatives that support the full participation of Indigenous People and Black, racialized, and religious minority communities in Canada, and raise awareness about issues related to racism and hate

Key facts

• As per Census 2021, it was noted that poverty rates (or low-income rates, depending on the measure used) are higher for most racialized groups than for the white population, and this disparity persists across generations despite controlling for socioeconomic characteristics
• Furthermore, the size of the difference from the poverty rate of the white population varies across racialized groups (for example, Black, Chinese, South Asian). These disparities in poverty rates are at least partially linked to disadvantages in employment and earnings
• Since the 1980s, the gap in the low-income rate between immigrants and the Canadian-born population has risen, despite a large increase in immigrants' average levels of education. The proportion of immigrants aged 25 to 65 with a university education in 2000 was more than double that in 1980
• The gap in the poverty rate between each racialized group and the white population could be partly explained by the sociodemographic differences; other sociodemographic characteristics also play a role such as:
  • age
  • generation status
  • immigrant status
  • language use
  • household type and,
  • geographic distribution (for example, where in the country they reside)
• Despite their diversity in terms of educational attainment and other characteristics, all Black groups experienced earnings gaps (ranging from $1,400 to $4,100) associated with working in lower-level occupations relative to their education and being less likely to have full time full year work, compared to the non-racialized third-generation or more population. Among African-origin men and Caribbean-origin women, the negative wage effect from these differences was larger than the positive effect from higher educational attainment
• In the 5 years preceding the 2019 General Social Survey (GSS) on Canadians' Safety (Victimization), 3 in 10 (29%) Chinese people aged 15 and older experienced discrimination or unfair treatment in their daily lives. While this proportion was similar for other racialized populations (29%), it was nearly double that of the non-racialized population (16%)
• Since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, there has been a significant uptick in racial incidents, cases of racial discrimination, and threats against local communities in Canada, leading to growing concerns about the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia

Key messages

• It is unfortunate that even in 2023, the lived experience of so many of our fellow Canadians is being denied. Racism, racial discrimination, and hate are real in Canada, and we are committed as Government to do what it takes to make a difference
• It is for this reason that the Government will do everything in our power to combat systemic anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism, anti-Arab racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any other form of racism and related intolerance, including through a new Anti-Racism Strategy and Canada's first ever Action Plan on Combatting Hate

Issue

What the Government of Canada has done to advance its commitments to the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (the Decade)

Background

• In 2015, the United Nations proclaimed 2015 to 2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent (the Decade) to advance recognition, justice, and development outcomes for people of African Descent
• In 2016, the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent assessed the human rights situation of people of African descent living in Canada. The Working Group provided 42 recommendations to implement the objectives of the Decade in Canada
• In 2018, Canada was the first Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) country to recognize the Decade. Through this recognition, the Government recognized Black Canadians as a distinct group for the first time in need of targeted efforts to ensure the protection of their rights
• In recognition of the Decade, the Government has put forward important actions, including:
  • recognizing more than 40 people, places, and events of national historic significance that reflect the importance of Black communities to Canada's shared heritage
  • establishing the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI). The program has funded more than 2,300 projects that help Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving charities and non-profits build their organizational capacity
  • helping Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs to succeed through the Black Entrepreneurship Program
  • launching the $200 million Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund dedicated to supporting Black-led non-profit organizations and registered charities and organizations serving Black communities in Canada and related social initiatives
  • ongoing development of Canada's Black Justice Strategy
  • establishing the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund
  • participating in the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent in 2022 and 2023

Key facts

• The Black population in Canada accounted for 4.3% of the total population in 2021 and is expected to reach upwards of 5.6% by 2036. However, even as Canada's population becomes more diverse, racism and discrimination continue to limit the full participation of Black communities in many ways
• According to Census 2021 data, Black communities in Canada experience greater rates of poverty than the general population. For example,12.4% of Black people living in poverty in 2020 compared to the national rate of 8.1%
• Recent evidence also emphasizes significant health disparities. In 2022, police-reported crimes motivated by hatred of a race or ethnicity increased by 12%, while hate crimes specifically targeting the Black community increased by 28%
• As the Decade ends in 2024, there is a sense of urgency for the federal government to provide investments that will alleviate the effects of poverty, discrimination, social and economic disparities

Key messages

• The Government is committed to fostering and promoting a Canada where every person can fully and equally participate in our country's economic, cultural, social and political life. Since 2018, the Government has invested in initiatives towards ensuring that we celebrate, share knowledge, and build capacity in Black communities across the country
• The Government will continue to engage Black communities on how best to support capacity building within Black- led and Black-serving community organizations in the long term
• The Government remains committed to taking a whole-of-government approach that builds on the framework of the Decade to develop:
  • concrete measures to ensure equality before the law
  • eradicate poverty and social exclusion
  • eliminate racism and discrimination for people of African descent in Canada

Issue

Budget 2023 is proposing to provide $25 million in 2024 to 2025 for the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative

Background

• In 2018, the Prime Minister recognized the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent (UNDPAD) and committed the Government of Canada to learn more about:
  • the issues facing Black communities
  • to improve research and data collection for evidence-based policy
  • to invest in the empowerment of Black communities
• As part of this commitment, Budget 2019 provided $25M over 5 years to establish the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) with a mandate to take targeted measures to address systemic anti-Black racism; and to build capacity and foundational infrastructure within Black communities in Canada
• Budget 2021 announced an additional investment of $100M in the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, which included:
  • supporting the establishment of a National Institute for People of African Descent (the Institute) to inform and influence policy and program development at all levels of government from a Black-centric perspective:
    • the process of reviewing and assessing applications to establish the Institute is still in progress, and we hope to provide an update in the near future
• Budget 2021 also announced $200M to establish the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund to empower and to support Black-led charities and organizations serving youth and social initiatives
• Budget 2022 provided an additional $50M over 2 years, starting in 2022 to 2023, to continue to support Black-led and Black-serving community organizations and the work they do to promote inclusiveness. It also called for the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to explore options to continue supporting Black-led and Black-serving community organizations in the long term
• Most recently, Budget 2023 proposes to provide $25 million in 2024 to 2025, to the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative to continue empowering Black-led and Black-serving community organizations and the work they do to promote inclusiveness

Key facts

• Research indicates that Black communities in Canada continue to experience persistent inequities in income and employment while also facing a higher likelihood of discrimination
• To address these barriers and inequities for the Black community, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has advanced a number of key initiatives that aim to empower Black communities and Black-led organizations across Canada
• For example, Employment and Social Development Canada has established a National Funders Network of 4 Black-led organizations to support the capacity building of Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations
  • To date, the National Funders Network has awarded $50M to over 900 projects from Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations across Canada
    • This support has been instrumental in helping to strengthen these organizations and increase the scope and impact of their programming and services in Black communities
• The National Funders Network empowers Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations and the communities they serve through various activities including:
  • outreach and inclusion
  • youth programming
  • job creation
  • economic initiatives
  • health and wellness
  • entrepreneurship
• Through the capital assistance stream of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative, Employment and Social Development Canada has also invested over $82M in over 1,370 projects in communities across Canada to assist Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations with renovations and equipment purchases
• The Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative's External Reference Group (ERG) was launched on November 7, 2022. The mandate of the External Reference Group is to support the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and ESDC in the implementation of the SBCCI by:
  • providing advice on promoting Black community organizations' inclusion and removing barriers to the full participation of Black Canadians in all aspects of Canada's economic and social life
  • providing advice on current and new issues affecting Black Canadians and their communities
  • supporting the Government of Canada's efforts to advance the commitments related to the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent (UNDPAD)
• To support emerging priorities and important initiatives that address specific needs in Black communities, Employment and Social Development Canada provided $2.2M in SBCCI funding to renovate and transform the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children into an accessible community hub for the African-Nova Scotian community
• The site reopened on October 23, 2022, as the Kinney Place, an incubator for Black business and an intergenerational hub for the community

Key messages

• Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has advanced a number of key initiatives to support the capacity building of Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations and improve their workplaces and spaces
• To date, the National Funders Network has awarded $50M to over 900 projects from Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations across Canada to support their activities
  • Investments over $82M have benefited over 1,370 Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations to renovate and purchase equipment to better serve their communities
• An additional $25M will be provided in 2023 to 2024 to continue empowering Black-led and Black-serving community-based organizations and build capacity and foundational infrastructure within Black Canadian communities, this includes:
  • $21.5M to the National Funders Network's 3rd round of Call for Proposals, which will close on December 15, 2023
• In accordance with the "By Us, For Us" guiding principle, the Department will engage with Black communities and organizations to determine the priorities that should be addressed with the Budget 2023 funding to ensure that it meet their needs and priorities and brings positive benefits to Black communities across Canada by removing systemic barriers and tackling anti-Black racism

Issue

How the Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund will benefit Black communities

Background

• Budget 2021 provided $200M to establish a new Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund (the Endowment Fund) dedicated to creating a sustainable source of funding for Black communities in Canada
• The Endowment Fund was announced as part of the Government of Canada's 2018 recognition of the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent (UNDPAD), which committed the Government to fighting racism, discrimination, and ongoing inequalities that people of African descent face
• On February 8, 2023, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announced that the Foundation for Black Communities, a national Black-led and Black-serving organization dedicated to investing in Black communities, would administer the Endowment Fund
• The Foundation for Black Communities is responsible for investing the endowment and using the income earned on the investment to fund to Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving charities and non-profits for projects that aim to combat anti-Black racism and improve social and economic outcomes for Black communities

Key facts

• Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving charities and non-profits provide targeted support to the over 1.5 million Black people in Canada who continue to face long-standing socio-economic inequities and anti-Black racism. Despite the important role these organizations play, they have been consistently underfunded
• In 2017 and 2018, both Black-serving community organizations and Black-led organizations received only 0.7% of the total grants given out by Canadian foundations
• Philanthropic leaders have said:
  • there is a lack of representation of Black communities in philanthropy
  • inadequate data
  • systemic barriers have caused severe underfunding
  • a Black-led foundation is required to correct this imbalance
• The Endowment Fund aims to tackle the lack of support for Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving charities and non-profits by providing funding to these organizations for a minimum of 10 years

Key messages

• In accordance with the "nothing about us without us" guiding principle, Employment and Social Development Canada has engaged with Black communities across Canada to inform the design of the Endowment Fund
  • In May 2021, the Employment and Social Development Canada met with nearly 150 Black stakeholders to hear their ideas for the Endowment Fund
  • Employment and Social Development Canada also launched a call for concepts in January 2022 that sought written input on the Endowment Fund's design
• The Foundation for Black Communities is committed to continuously engaging with diverse Black communities in Canada, including those located in different regions and with multiple intersecting identity factors, to ensure the Endowment Fund is delivered in a way that responds to their needs
• The first call for proposals for the Endowment Fund launched in December 2023 and distributed funding to Black-led, Black-focused and Black-serving charities and non-profits for projects that aim to:
  • combat anti-Black racism
  • improve social and economic outcomes for Black communities in Canada

Background

Since 2019, the Government of Canada has committed close to $100 million through Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy, including $70 million to support community organizations across Canada addressing issues of anti-racism and multiculturalism.

The Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program (CSMARI) supported the mandate of the department of Canadian Heritage by building on Canada's strength as a diverse and inclusive society.

The Program had 3 funding components: Events, Projects, and Community Capacity Building. Since 2018 to 2019:

• $30.5 million has been invested in over 1434 CSMARI Events
• $12.5M has been invested in 194 Community Capacity Building initiatives
• $40.8M has been invested in 272 CSMARI Projects and $7.9M has been invested in 56 projects under the Community Support for Black Canadian Youth Initiative

The Program's objectives were to:

• support communities in confronting racism and discrimination, promoting intercultural and interfaith understanding and fostering equitable opportunities to participate fully in Canadian society
• promote and engage in discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination at the domestic and international levels
• strengthen research and evidence to build understanding of the disparities and challenges faced by racialized and religious minority communities, and Indigenous peoples

CSMARI events

Continuous intake, applicants could apply at any time and previously were required to apply 18 weeks prior to Event start date

• 2022 to 2023*
  • # Events: 323
  • $ Approved: $8M
• 2021 to 2022
  • # Events: 261
  • $ Approved: $5.7M
• 20202 to 021**
  • # Events: 186
  • $ Approved: $3.2M
• 2019 to 2020
  • # Events: 370
  • $ Approved: $8.5M
• 2018 to 2019
  • # Events: 294
  • $ Approved: $4.9M

*Events approved up to March 31 2023

** Events applications decreased due to COVID-19 pandemic

CSMARI Community Capacity Building (CCB)

2 Intakes (Launch): 2018 and 2020

• 2018 Intake
  • Projects approved*: 77
  • $ Approved*: $4.7M
• 2020 Intake
  • Projects approved*: 117
  • $ Approved*: $7.7M

* Adjusted following routine data review and validation

CSMARI projects

2 Intakes (Launch): 2018 and 2020

• 2018 Intake
  • Projects approved*: 97
  • $ Approved*: $13.7M
• 2020 Intake
  • Projects approved*: 175
  • $ Approved*: $27.3M

* Adjusted following routine data review and validation

Community support for Black Canadian Youth Initiative (CSBCY) projects

2018 CSMARI Funding Intake

Background

Since 2019, the Government of Canada has committed close to $100 million through Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy, including $70 million to support community organizations across Canada addressing issues of anti-racism and multiculturalism.

The Anti-Racism Action Program (ARAP) was one important means by which the Government of Canada implements Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy.

The ARAP was intended to help address barriers to employment, justice and social participation among Indigenous peoples, racialized communities and religious minorities.

Since the ARAP was launched in 2019 to 2020, 174 projects have been funded for a total investment of $35 million.

The objectives of the program were to:

• support communities confronting racism and discrimination, promote intercultural and interfaith understanding and foster equitable opportunities to participate fully in Canadian society
• promote and engage in discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination at the domestic and international levels, and
• strengthen research and evidence to build understanding of the disparities and challenges faced by racialized and religious minority communities, and Indigenous peoples

All funded Grants and Contributions can be found at this link: Proactive Disclosure- Grants and Contributions

Intake and projects approved:

• 1 Intake, closed January 2020, 1100 applications received
  • first round of assessment in 2020 (ARAP 1.0)
  • second round of assessment (ARAP 2.0) following Fall Economic Statement 2020, supplement of $20M

* This number includes 2 supplements.

Considerations

To simplify the funding application process for organizations, the program has consolidated its 2 programs, the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program (CSMARI) Program and the ARAP, under a single program. The renewed program, entitled Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program, maintains its original 3 funding components: the Events, the Projects and the Organizational Capacity Building components.

• 6
• Amount approved: $7.9M

In the fall of 2023, Treasury Board approved a submission designed to streamline and improve delivery of the program and access a new funding envelope. As part of this request, the application process was simplified, and the program was consolidated to be a single program. The renewed program, entitled Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP), maintains its original 3 funding components: Events, Projects and Organizational Capacity Building components. A new Call for Proposal is being planned for December 11, 2023.

Issue

What is the status of the Department of Canadian Heritage's (PCH) recovery of funding from Community Media Advocacy Centre (CMAC)?

Key facts

• In the summer of 2022, the Department of Canadian Heritage was made aware of the anti-Semitic, anti-Francophone and anti-Black remarks published on social media made by Mr. Laith Marouf, a consultant for the Community Media Advocacy Centre's (CMAC)
• Funding to CMAC was suspended on August 19, 2022 and its funding agreement was terminated on September 23, 2022
• PCH has pursued different avenues to recover $122,661 in funds issued to the CMAC since December 2, 2022, involving the Canada Revenue Agency, a collection agency and an investigation agency. The federal government is currently proceeding with court action to recover the remainder of the funds (as of October 31, 2023, this amount with interest is now $ 132 413)
• The Department has implemented a number of new measures to strengthen the programs that fall under Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy (the Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives and the Anti-Racism Action Programs- CSMARI and ARAP) to ensure that organizations and individuals that espouse racists, antisemitic and / or other forms of offensive content will not be eligible to received funding

Key messages

• Racism in any form has no place in our society and no place in Canada
• The contract with CMAC was terminated in September 2022 and the Department of Canadian Heritage has been working with a third-party collection agency and the Canada Revenue Agency to recoup the funds paid to CMAC
• Following all of these efforts, a statement of claim was filed on November 17, 2023 by the Attorney General of Canada to take legal action against CMAC for breach of contract
• PCH has put in place proactive measures within the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program to prevent such situations from arising in the future, such as requiring applicants to sign attestations, and improving the application assessment criteria
• These efforts aim to strengthen control of programs to explicitly barring organizations and individuals promoting racist, antisemitic, or other forms of hateful content from eligibility for funding

Appendix

• On August 19, 2022, Minister Hussen suspended the funding to CMAC and requested that it provide detailed information and measures on how it would address the situation. On September 23, Minister Hussen rescinded and terminated the funding agreement between the organization and the Department
• The Department of Canadian Heritage has pursued different avenues to recover $122,661 in funds issued to the CMAC since December 2, 2022 (as of October 31, 2023, this amount with interest is now $ 132 413), including the following:
  • collection agency was enlisted since December 2022, and they have indicated that numerous attempts to reach CMAC representatives to recoup funding have proven unsuccessful
  • an investigation agency was mandated to conduct research on the existence of assets held by the CMAC
  • following these efforts, the Department of Justice was directed to file a legal claim to recover the funds provided to CMAC
  • PCH filed a statement of claim on November 17, 2023 and it has been officially served to CMAC on November 29, 2023
• A review of the active contribution agreements and the applications received since August under the Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives (CSMARI) and the Anti-Racism Action Programs (ARAP) was completed to ensure there was no public information of concern that would undermine Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy, the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act. In total, 347 funding agreements were subject to this reassessment
• The Department has implemented a number of measures to strengthen the programs that fall under Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy (the Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives and the Anti-Racism Action Programs- CSMARI and ARAP) to ensure that organizations and individuals that espouse racist, antisemitic and / or other forms of offensive content will not be eligible to receive funding
• The Department has made changes to the application guidelines, the declaration and attestation section of the application form and the contribution agreement template. These changes were designed to strengthen and clarify responsibilities and expectations for applicants and recipients under the CSMARI program and ARAP. These changes were posted to the department's website and online application portal on December 14, 2022

Issue

Why does Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) require additional authorities in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for fiscal year ending March 31, 2024?

Key facts

Supplementary Estimates seek parliamentary approval for changes to departmental spending plans for the current fiscal year.

ESDC is requesting a total of $409.7 million in additional authorities through the Supplementary Estimates (B).

• An increase of $106.5 million in Vote 1 Operating expenditure
• An increase of $295.7 million in Vote 5 Grants and Contributions
• An increase of $7.5 million in Statutory items

Response

ESDC is requesting adjustments for:

Table: Summary of Total Budgetary Authorities (in dollars)

• Budgetary Authorities: Vote 1 - Operating expenditures
  • Transfers: -1,266,572
  • Adjustments: 107,795,823
  • Total: 106,529,251
• Budgetary Authorities: Vote 5 - Grants and Contributions
  • Transfers: -12,967,381
  • Adjustments: 308,676,346
  • Total: 295,708,965
• Total Voted Appropriations
  • Transfers: -14,233,953
  • Adjustments: 416,472,169
  • Total: 402,747,197
• Statutory
  • Transfers: 0
  • Adjustments: 7,508,981
  • Total: 7,508,981
• Total Budgetary Authorities
  • Transfers: -14,233,953
  • Adjustments: 423,981,150
  • Total: 409,747,197

Background

A. Voted Appropriations

B. Transfers

C. Statutory budgetary authorities

Key Quotes

Nil

Issue

Supplementary estimates (B) 2023 to 2024.

Background

• From the $196.6 million in funding received by Canadian Heritage in the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates B, $30.7 million is received to support Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy
• The funding received for Multiculturalism programs under the department of Canadian Heritage includes:
  • $23.3 million in grants and contributions
  • $5.6 million for operating expenditures
  • $1.4 million in statutory authorities for employee benefits
• An amount of $1.6 million is also received for corporate services supporting those programs, such as information technology, finance, and human resources functions

Key facts

• Funding for Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy - Total: $30,739,121 (excluding EBP)
  • Funding for Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy - Total: $25,820,933 (excluding EBP)
  • Funding for additional capacity for Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy- Total: $4,918,188 (excluding EBP)

Canadian Heritage and Employment and Social Development Canada are receiving the remaining funds announced in Budget 2022 and Budget 2023: up to $106.6M ($99.0M for Canadian Heritage and $7.6M for Employment and Social Development Canada) over 5 years with $0.6 million ongoing for Canadian Heritage. These funds are to support Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2023 to 2028, develop Canada's Action Plan on Combatting Hate, and support the work of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. The funds will be used to deliver these key Government priorities, increase the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Branch's grants and contributions program, and maintain the Branch's human resource capacity, as well as support the operations and engagement activities of the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat at the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada.

Transfer to Statistics Canada - Total $235,000

Transfer to Statistic Canada for Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy. This funding will support research products to build understanding of the disparities and challenges faced by racialized and religious minority communities.

Statutory appropriations - Total: $1,371,238

Adjustment to account for contributions to employee benefit plans.

Introduce and implement a Canada Disability Benefit for low-income working age persons with disabilities

Undertake a comprehensive review of access to federal disability programs, including for Canadians with mental health challenges

Support national disability organizations to build capacity and partner in efforts to eliminate systemic barriers

Advance our commitment to permanently fund support services that ensure equitable access to reading and other published works for Canadians with print disabilities

Implement the Accessible Canada Act and harmonize accessibility standards across Canada

Enhance the capacity and effectiveness of Black-led and Black-serving organizations through the continued implementation of the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative

Develop policies and projects that tackle discrimination and unconscious bias in public and private institutions, including anti-Black racism

Strengthen and support the work of the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat to ensure a whole-of government approach in addressing systemic racism

Support the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth in the evaluation process of GBA Plus with the goal of enhancing the framing and parameters of this analytical tool, and with particular attention to the intersectional analysis of race, indigeneity, rurality, disability and sexual identity, among other characteristics

Met commitments