2014 Our Canada Symposium

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation tackled hard-hitting issues such as extremism and imported conflicts at the 2014 Symposium examining Canadian values, identity and belonging.

A thought-provoking array of speakers and participants convened on November 17-19, 2014 at the Canadian Museum of Nature for the CRRF's Our Canada: Building on Citizenship, Building for Citizenship two-and-a-half day event.

Download the Symposium Programme

View the 2014 Symposium Photo Gallery

Experts discussed homegrown extremism and radicalization in a panel entitled, Strengthening Canadian Values as a Barrier to Extremism, featuring Provisional Psychologist Mahdi Qasqas, president, 3OWN and social worker, Muslim Youth and Family Services. Qasqas has emerged as a leader in the nascent field of rehabilitation of radicalized youth in Canada. He, and several other symposium speakers, will be profiled in the 150 Stories component of the CRRF's Our Canada project. Our Canada is a three-year initiative designed to heighten awareness, understanding and respect for Canadian values and traditions, culminating in Canada's Sesquicentennial in 2017.

"The CRRF is committed to providing this timely opportunity for innovators, community leaders and government representatives interested in promoting positive race relations to work together to build an inclusive future for all Canadians," added Anita Bromberg, Executive Director, CRRF.

The symposium featured in-depth discussions about the ways in which Canadians deal with overseas conflicts; challenges facing today's youth; the impact of multiculturalism on Aboriginal Peoples; understanding Canadian values in the context of faith, identity and belonging; the media's role and responsibility, and other topics exploring what it means to be Canadian.

Notable speakers included Roberta L. Jamieson, President and CEO, Indspire; Michael Bach, CEO, Canadian Institute of Diversity; David Langtry, Acting Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission; The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, and The Honourable Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Our Canada: Building on Citizenship, Building for Citizenship featured interactive plenaries, panels, guest speakers and break-out sessions, culminating in a World Café. The symposium also included the CRRF's Awards of Excellence, presented to individuals and organizations representing the private and public sectors, whose extraordinary initiatives provide best practices in the area of race relations.