Newfoundland woman wins Canada's 2012 Multiculturalism Award
Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today named Bridget Foster of St. John's, Newfoundland, as the recipient of the 2012 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism.
"Bridget Foster has worked tirelessly for more than thirty years in St. John's, building welcoming communities and successfully integrating newcomers to Newfoundland," said Minister Kenney. "I am happy to announce her as the winner of this year's Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism."
The award is bestowed annually on an individual or a group who demonstrates dedication to advancing diversity, multiculturalism and the integration of newcomers into Canadian society. Individuals are nominated in one of two categories: Outstanding Achievement or Lifetime Achievement. Ms. Foster was recognized in the Lifetime Achievement category.
"Senator Yuzyk's efforts to establish multiculturalism as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian identity left a valuable legacy for this country," added Minister Kenney. "Ms. Foster's lifetime of achievement builds on that legacy."
Senator Yuzyk was a member of the Senate of Canada from February 1963 to July 1986 and played a key role in the development of Canadian multiculturalism policy. He has been called the architect of multiculturalism for his early role in achieving policy recognition for the "third force" of Canadian society, i.e. those who were of neither British nor French descent.
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada's economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
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Nice that Canada not only enshrines multiculturalism in its constitution but honors it annually with this award.