Human Resources, Labour and Employment
March 23, 2009

The following statement was issued by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise today to inform this Honourable House that the Provincial Government has officially proclaimed March 21-27 as Multiculturalism Week for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

March 21 was chosen because it is designated by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. March 21, 2009, also marks the second anniversary of the launch of our provincial immigration strategy.

The Provincial Government views increased immigration as a partial solution to the skills shortages and demographic challenges faced by our province. That is why we announced an immigration strategy and committed $6 million over three years.

Considerable progress has been made in the implementation of our immigration strategy since its launch in March 2007. Most notably, the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism has been established with 13 permanent staff, including a Settlement and Integration Consultant on the west coast. In June 2008, the province launched its Policy on Multiculturalism, which recognizes that diversity leads to creativity, innovation and economic growth.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to the promotion of inclusive citizenship, welcoming communities and a society where the cultural diversity of all people is valued, supported and enhanced.

This is why we proclaimed a week of celebration that fosters a greater understanding and respect for the contributions of all our cultures. It is our hope that Multiculturalism Week will further establish cultural diversity as a key strength of Newfoundland and Labrador, and I am glad to recognize a number of people present in our gallery who have enriched our province by making it their chosen home.

To make our first Multiculturalism Week even more special, our Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism, through its various partnerships, has organized a series of special events called, Together We Rock! Celebrating Multiculturalism across the Province. I encourage everyone to attend the many pot-lucks, culture nights, meet and greets, and other events organized by community groups throughout the province as part of the Together We Rock! festivities.

I would like to conclude by congratulating our Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism and all their partners for organizing such a wonderful tribute to the people who have chosen to build new lives, homes, and futures here in the great Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.