One on One with Attorney General Wally Oppal, Minister responsible for Multiculturalism

Continuing the Celebration of our 150 year old Province

“Strong leadership, accountability, and integrity. Together we can create a stronger community” is the slogan that Attorney General and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism, Wally Oppal lives by.

He notes that as a province we are on our way to becoming the #1 economy in Canada and that these are extremely exciting times in British Columbia. We are on the road to success and strong leadership is needed to take us there. Our robust economic growth will allow us to engage new and exciting programs in health care, education, and community safety.

The Honourable Minister has also vowed to fight to make the streets of Vancouver-Fraserview safer and to strengthen our community as a whole. The Afro News had an opportunity to ask the Honourable Minister, Wally Oppal a few direct questions to which he responded as follows:

1. Through the vantage point of your position as the Minister responsible for Multiculturalism, what progress have you witnessed in our province in the last 10 years?

• B.C. continues to be Canada’s most popular destination, per capita, for new immigrants. Nearly 200,000 people have immigrated to British Columbia in the past five years, with about 40,000 newcomers moving here annually.

• In fall 2006, under the Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Cooperation on Immigration, the Province negotiated an additional $71.5 million in federal funding, over two years, for services for the province’s growing immigrant population and $1.573 million for anti-racism and multiculturalism services.

• On June 13, 2007, Premier Gordon Campbell announced WelcomeBC,a strategic framework that brings British Columbia’s programs and services that support the settlement and integration of immigrants and initiatives for welcoming communities under one umbrella.

• In fall 2007, under the Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Cooperation on Immigration, the Province received additional federal funding for a total of $115 million for immigrant services and supports for 2008/09.

• Today, WelcomeBC represents a total investment by the federal and provincial governments of $297 million from 2006/2007 to 2008/2009. In 2005/2006 the investment by the federal and provincial governments was $45 million.

• New funding has gone towards the development and implementation of initiatives to create welcoming and inclusive communities. These initiatives support the arrival, adaptation and integration of new immigrants; support and promote cultural diversity; and facilitate new immigrants’ full participation and integration into daily life.

2. In your tenure as the Minister responsible for Multiculturalism, what do you feel was your personal contribution or stamp in this area of responsibility?

• When I was appointed Attorney General in June 2005, I requested the multiculturalism portfolio as well. As I became more knowledgeable about multiculturalism and immigration in B.C., I realized they are vital to the positive social and economic growth of our province.

• As for my personal contribution in these areas, I strive to bring a high profile and raise awareness among our citizens about the importance of immigration and multiculturalism in British Columbia.

• I am advised by the Multicultural Advisory Council (MAC), which is made up of a group of appointed individuals with experience and education in diversity, multiculturalism and immigration.

• Through meetings with the MAC, I challenged the members to initiate a new multicultural awards program to recognize British Columbians whose exceptional work is bringing B.C.’s diverse cultures together. It was my great pleasure to announce, with the Multicultural Advisory Council, the Nesika Awards this February. The council has devised a unique awards program that recognizes three categories: individuals, communities and organizations. I encourage people to nominate people they consider to be worthy of this distinction. Nomination forms and information are available at: www.WelcomeBC.ca, on the homepage under What’s New in Diversity.

• My passion for social justice and community safety naturally extends to issues and concerns around multiculturalism and immigration. Everyone is equal before the law and we must do all we can to ensure that all people, including newcomers, are treated fairly and equally.

• I am proud of British Columbia’s unique model of diversity. We need to keep building on the heritage that has evolved as a consequence of our distinct First Nations and multicultural communities by acknowledging, supporting and celebrating our diversity.

3. What advice might you share with our youth and new immigrants that might have similar career aspirations?

• I would encourage all newcomers, both youth and adults, to do all they can to acquire proficient English language skills. While this is important for pursuing education, as well as for finding meaningful employment and connecting with the broader community, it is particularly relevant to the legal profession.

• Information about available English language courses throughout the province is located at: www.WelcomeBC.ca. Since WelcomeBC was launched on June 13, 2007, the province has significantly increased funding for English language courses to newcomers so those who need training can access courses easier and quicker.

• For young people who may be considering law as a career choice, I suggest they contact the Law Society of B.C. They can explore their website at: www.lawsociety.bc.ca. They may also contact the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. branch (CBABC), whose website is: www.cba.org/BC/home/main. The CBABC recently announced a partnership with the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to advance legal education for Aboriginal people through the establishment of a trust fund to provide annual scholarships to attend law schools in British Columbia.

4. What observations and suggestions might you have for the African community — to help them integrate into the multicultural mosaic that is in Vancouver?

• The African community is incredibly diverse, with a wide range of cultures, religions and languages. They are able to draw upon their own experiences and ways of living in a continent with diverse cultures and beliefs to bring those ideas to British Columbia.

• The Ministry of Attorney General’s Settlement and Multiculturalism Division is responsible for funding and managing anti-racism, multiculturalism and immigrant and refugee settlement programs. Settlement and immigrant-serving agencies funded by the Province enable the smooth integration of newcomers to British Columbia. These agencies support English language learning and provide general orientation to services in B.C. Programs that consider the unique needs of youth while they are adapting to living here are also available.

• For those who may be facing discrimination, it is important to become aware of one’s rights and to access the appropriate supports. The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal reviews complaints that pertain to the Human Rights Code. The B.C. Hate Crime Team assists in investigating hate and bias crimes in the province, with the co-operation of local police agencies. The BC Human Rights website is: http://www.bchrt.bc.ca/.

5. How do you feel multiculturalism has contributed to the tremendous growth and transformation in the past 150 years of B.C.’s history?

• Multiculturalism has supported both a socially and economically vibrant society in our province, which respects and honours our diverse cultures.

• Prior to the arrival of the first Europeans and the founding of the Crown colony of B.C., the Pacific northwest was home to indigenous Aboriginal communities with distinct languages, cultures, spiritual beliefs and vibrant societies, whose unique ways of life were important to the shaping this province.

• Since the arrival of the first Europeans to B.C., pioneer immigrants and more recent newcomers have also contributed to B.C. and the creation of its identity and current reality.

• Interwoven with the names of people and places in B.C. is our shared histories. Everywhere, we see the influences of our cultural mix and how immigrant and Aboriginal peoples have contributed to the building of our province and nation.

• Like all nations and communities, we’ve had our share of turmoil and tough times. Through all that, we’ve become a much more open and accepting society that we can take pride in and continue to build on today. I don’t think we’d be where we are today — economically, politically and socially — without our strong cultural diversity.

6. What do you hope to see for the future regarding multiculturalism?

• It is my hope that multiculturalism will continue to strengthen our society.

• Our government will continue to work at building a multicultural society in which there are no barriers to the full and free participation of all British Columbians — in the economic, social, cultural and political life of our province.