Frequently Asked Questions
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is a federal Crown corporation mandated to raise public awareness of the causes and manifestations of racism in Canada.
General Questions
What is the mission of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation?
To create systemic solutions and advance public policy on anti-racism in Canada, through partnership engagement, creating awareness and mobilization.
Our vision is a Canada free of systemic racism and hate.
What are its guiding principles?
The CRRF is committed to facilitating learning and the development, sharing and application of knowledge and expertise that will contribute to achieving the elimination of racism and all forms of racial discrimination in Canadian society. Earning and maintaining public trust, through our words and actions, is vital to the CRRF and its partners.
Why was it created?
The CRRF was created as part of a 1988 agreement between the Government of Canada and the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC). The Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement acknowledges the government’s wrongful treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after World War II. As a symbolic redress for those injustices, the Agreement provided individual compensation to Japanese Canadians. Also, the NAJC negotiated a contribution of $12 million on behalf of its community, matched by an equal amount from the Government of Canada, to create a one-time $24 million endowment to establish the CRRF. The Foundation has operated on income derived from the investing of the endowment capital, grants, contracts and donations.
Does the CRRF work on international issues?
The CRRF has a domestic mandate and focuses on raising public awareness of the causes and manifestations of systemic racism within Canada.
Does the CRRF respond to current affairs?
The CRRF works to strengthen the social fabric by
supporting, enabling and convening community groups and organizations in Canada through our grants, services and network of public, research and community partners, and by shaping anti-racist public policy. The CRRF does not comment on current affairs unless it is related to an area of our work and expertise.
What is the organizational structure of the CRRF?
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a Chairperson and up to 11 other Directors from across Canada, taking into account the multicultural character, linguistic duality and regional diversity of Canadian society, each appointed for a term of up to four years.
The Foundation has a small core staff: a full-time Executive Director appointed by the Governor in Council, who oversees the day-to-day operations and is ex officio a member of the Board, but has no vote; a Director of Finance & Administration; an Executive Assistant; and a number of full-time or part-time positions relating to communications, program, outreach, financial and administrative responsibilities. Additional staff are engaged on a project-specific basis, as well as volunteers and interns.
Who is on the Board of Directors and how do you become a member?
Members of the Board of Directors are appointed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister designated as the Minister for the purposes of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. If you would like more information about this, please go to https://www.appointments-nominations.gc.ca/.
Are you part of the Government?
The CRRF operates at arm’s length from the government, and its employees are not part of the federal public service. The CRRF has registered charitable status. While the head office of the Foundation is located in the City of Toronto, its activities are national in scope.
How is the CRRF engaging in Reconciliation?
Building Right Relations on the path of Reconciliation
In 2021, the Government of Canada committed to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through a renewed, nation-to-nation, government-to-government, and Inuit-Crown relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership as the foundation for transformative change.
As a federal Crown corporation mandated to raise public awareness of the causes and manifestations of racism in Canada, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation is committed to collective learning, promoting cultural awareness, and supporting initiatives that centre Indigenous truths, joy, voices and stories. We recognize that there is much work, learning, and unlearning to be done and we are committed to building relationships and learning as we grow.
In recent months, the CRRF was made aware of concerns about a project related to Métis identity previously funded in part by the Foundation. We recognize and regret any negative impact this may have caused. Since then, we are further strengthening our work to engage meaningfully with Indigenous teachers and partners to learn more about this area and gain a fuller understanding of the issues around Métis identity that have been raised. We have initiated and are continuing to undertake organization-wide training and dialogue with Indigenous partners in this area and are also reviewing our future granting processes accordingly. The CRRF is committed to supporting initiatives that grow understanding, build solidarity, increase unity and continue our learning and journey on reconciliation alongside Indigenous peoples in Canada. Reconciliation is an ongoing process in the context of evolving Indigenous-Crown relationships, with meaningful engagement at its heart. Our long-term relationship building is also ongoing, and we look forward to continuing to seek guidance and learning on this journey.
Are there any job openings? / I would like to get involved as a volunteer in the area of race relations. Is the Foundation looking for volunteers?
You can find job openings on our career page.
Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about new opportunities.
The CRRF takes student placements and volunteers on a case-by-case basis. For more information, call 1-888-240-4936 or send an e-mail to info@crrf-fcrr.ca.
How can I reach the CRRF?
You can reach the CRRF in the following ways:
Fax:
1-888-399-0333 (toll-free)
1-416-441-2752
Email:
info@crrf-fcrr.ca
Website:
www.crrf-fcrr.ca
Mail:
6 Sakura Way, Suite 225
Toronto, Ontario M3C 1Z5
Human Rights Complaints
I have a problem at my workplace or school related to racial discrimination. Can the Foundation provide me with assistance?
We are a Crown corporation committed to supporting grassroots organizations across Canada whose mission is to root out racism and discrimination through outreach and education as well as advancing policy that results in systemic change.
For human rights complaints and individual cases, we encourage you to contact the following organizations:
Canadian Human Rights Commission
https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/en
Human Rights Legal Support Centre
https://www.hrlsc.on.ca/en/welcome
Quebec Human Rights Commission
https://www.cdpdj.qc.ca/en
Alberta Human Rights Commission
https://albertahumanrights.ab.ca/Pages/default.aspx
Manitoba Human Rights Commission
http://www.manitobahumanrights.ca/
Ontario Human Rights Commission
https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en
New Brunswick Human Rights Commission
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/nbhrc.html
Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission
https://thinkhumanrights.ca/
Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission
https://nwthumanrights.ca/
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/
Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal
http://www.nhrt.ca/english/home
Prince Edward Island Human Rights Commission
https://www.peihumanrights.ca/
Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission
https://saskatchewanhumanrights.ca/
Yukon Human Rights Commission
https://yukonhumanrights.ca/
Speaking Engagements
Our organization is planning a conference (workshop, professional development day) on racism. Can the Foundation supply us with a speaker?
Yes. The CRRF is happy to assist in this capacity. Please email us at info@crrf-fcrr.ca.
Funding
We would like to get core funding for our organization. How can the Foundation assist us?
The CRRF’s mandate is to build a national framework to help address racism in Canadian society. The CRRF does not provide core funding to any organization, but often partners with other organizations on specific issues.
Visit our current grants page for more information on how to get CRRF funding.
Federal Government Information
I would like information about federal government services (e.g., immigration, taxation, agriculture, and veteran affairs). Where can I go for information?
To locate the federal government department or agency responsible, search the federal government electronic directory at www.canada.ca.