The Canadian Multiculturalism Act¹

The Canadian Multiculturalism Act sets out the Government of Canada's multiculturalism policy. Two fundamental principles of the Act are:

• All citizens are equal and have the freedom to preserve, enhance, and share their cultural heritage.
• Multiculturalism promotes the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in all aspects of Canadian society.

In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the National Parole Board (NPB/the Board) is committed to implementing the multiculturalism policy and to report on its initiatives for inclusion in the Annual Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act². NPB has appointed the Executive Director as the Multiculturalism Champion. The Champion supports, encourages, promotes and endorses activities and initiatives that:

• ensure that Canadians of all origins have an equal opportunity to obtain employment at NPB;
• enhance the ability of all individuals and communities of all origins to contribute to the continuing evolution of Canada;
• enhance the understanding of and respect for the diversity of members of Canadian society;
• are sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of Canada, and
• make use of the language skills and cultural understanding of individuals of all origins.

NPB is directed by legislation, policy documents and core values which ensure the implementation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.

The Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) drives the creation and adoption of NPB's policies and programs. Section 151.3 of the CCRA specifies that the Board's policies must respect gender, ethnic, cultural and linguistic differences and be responsive to the special needs of women and Aboriginal peoples, as well as to the needs of other groups of offenders with special requirements.

NPB Policy 9.2.1 states that NPB is committed to its responsibility to also respect gender, ethnic, cultural and linguistic differences. Core Value #2 states that the Board respects the inherent potential and dignity of all individuals and the equal rights of all members of society.

Furthermore, in accordance with the Board's Vision and Strategic Plan, the NPB forges new community partnerships, creating a network of citizen spokespersons for conditional release and safe reintegration of offenders. The Board views people of different ethnic backgrounds as equal and valued members of society and the Board will continue to develop its hearing process to be responsive to other diverse ethnic and cultural groups.

NPB supports Canada's ethnocultural diversity in a variety of ways. Each NPB region participates with its partner organization, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), on Regional Ethnocultural Advisory Committees (REAC) and nationally, NPB participates in the National Ethnocultural Advisory Committee (NEAC) presided over by CSC. The REACs and the NEAC serve to identify the needs and cultural interests of ethnocultural offenders, to develop programs to meet such needs, to promote understanding of the issues facing ethnocultural offenders and community groups and to provide advice and recommendations to senior managers of NPB and CSC on these issues.

NPB regions periodically organize information forums with ethnocultural community agencies and groups to share information related to NPB, conditional release and its decision-making processes and to gather feedback, insight and advice on cultural, ethnic and racial traditions, practices and practices which may impact the Board's work. NPB utilizes experts from a variety of diverse ethnocultural and ethnoracial backgrounds in order to provide sensitivity and awareness training to Board Members and staff.

NPB has an Employment Equity Plan, the goal of which is to increase the representation of employees from the equity groups (i.e. women, Aboriginal, visible minority and persons with disabilities) in indeterminate positions. Furthermore, NPB recruits Board Members from diverse communities in Canada to create a Board which is representative of the Canadian population at-large.

NPB celebrates a variety of events which promote awareness and understanding of the diversity of Canadian society and to increase respect and inclusiveness. From time to time, the NPB Aboriginal and Diversity Initiatives area provides cultural demonstrations, films, guest speakers and fact sheets to Board Members and staff to celebrate such activities as Black History Month, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Asian Heritage Month, National Aboriginal Day, International Women's Week, among others.

For further information on the National Parole Board's implementation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act please contact:

Monique Godin, Manager Aboriginal and Diversity Initiatives
410 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa ON K1A 0R1
613-941-8414 or godinmd@npb-cnlc.gc.ca

¹ View the Canadian Multicultural Act
² Read the Annual Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act