Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the following statement today on the occasion of World Day of African and Afro-Culture:

“Today, on the occasion of World Day of African and Afro-Descent CultureLet’s honor and celebrate the diverse and vibrant cultures of the African continent and African diaspora around the world.

“People of African descent have shaped every aspect of life in Canada, contributing to our political, economic, scientific and social fabric. In science, they have made important contributions that have changed our understanding of the world. In art, they have drawn on their roots to make music, write poetry and tell stories. And in politics, members of black and Afro communities are leaders in promoting human rights, equality and justice.

“In 2018, the Canadian government adopted the International Decade for People of African Descent, a United Nations initiative to guide action by federal governments and the international community to advance the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of Afro descendants. The Decade, which runs from 2015 to 2024, focuses on the themes of recognition, equity and development. We reaffirm our commitment to a whole-of-government approach to promoting and strengthening the protection of the rights of people of African descent, including through the development of policies and programs aimed at ensuring equality before the law, eradicating poverty and social exclusion promote economic well-being and combat systemic racism, anti-black discrimination and xenophobia in public and private institutions. We remain committed to working with African nations to further the goals of this initiative and strengthen economic, social and cultural cooperation on the continent.

“We still have a lot to do to achieve equality and offer everyone the same opportunities. As Canadians, we must continue to fight racism and anti-Black prejudice and build a world free of hate and discrimination. The government of Canada implements programs to support black and Afro communities across the country, including the Black Community Entrepreneurship Program, which helps Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and thrive. The Black Led Philanthropic Endowment Fund’s mission is to support Black led charities and social organizations that are Black focused and focused on serving Black people. Finally, as part of the renewal of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, we will take concrete action to address systemic anti-Black racism and hate crimes and incidents targeting Black and Afro communities in Canada.

“Today, on World Day of African and Afro-Descent Culture, we reflect on the progress – and the work still to be done – in celebrating Afro-descended cultures and ending hatred and discrimination in all its forms here in Canada. I invite all Canadians to learn more about the richness of these many cultures by participating in activities celebrating World Day of African and Afro-Descent Cultures. »