Skip to main content
fr

Info Source

Date updated: September 2023

Table of Contents

General Information 

Introduction to Info Source

Background

Responsibilities

Institutional Functions, Programs and Activities

1. Education and Training

1.1. Public Education and Awareness

2. Policy and Community Support

2.1. Dialogue and Civic Engagement

3. Strategic Alliances and Partnerships

3.1. Partnership and Collaboration

4. Internal Services

5. Manuals

Additional Information

Reading Room

General Information

Introduction to Info Source

Info Source describes the programs and activities, and the information holdings related to programs and activities, of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act to facilitate the right of access. It also provides individuals, including current and former employees of the Government of Canada, with relevant information to access personal information about themselves held by government institutions subject to the Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.

An index of institutions that are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act is available centrally.

The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility to the President of Treasury Board (as the designated Minister) for the government-wide administration of the legislation.

Background

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is Canada’s leading agency dedicated to the elimination of racism and the promotion of harmonious race relations in the country. Created as part of the historic Japanese Canadian Redress Agreement, the CRRF’s governing legislation, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act, was given royal assent on February 1, 1991. The Act was proclaimed by the federal government on October 28, 1996, and the CRRF opened its doors in 1997. The origin, mission and vision outline our direction and activities.

A Crown Corporation, the CRRF is one of the portfolio agencies of the Department of Canadian Heritage. It operates at arm’s length from the Government of Canada and is deemed, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act, to be a registered charity.

The Chairperson submits to the Minister an Annual Report of the CRRF’s activities, including financial statements. The CRRF reports to Parliament through the Minister of Heritage.

Responsibilities

The Board of Directors sets the CRRF’s strategic vision and mission. For more information about the CRRF’s mandate, refer to our Annual Reports.

Its activities include: the biennial Award of Excellence and Symposium; Roundtables discussions; the Canada Lecture; an extensive library, resource centre and information clearing-house; the Education and Training Centre; youth engagement through volunteer and intern programming; extensive outreach, communications and media relations; and the Interfaith and Belonging initiative which facilitates bridge-building between and among faith communities.

Institutional Functions, Programs and Activities

1. Education and Training

The CRRF’s diversity, equity and human rights education and training activities provide and promote training across the country through transformative and participatory approaches. The CRRF offers capacity-building for organizations to create just, equitable and inclusive environments. Its activities are also directed toward the education system and school leaders throughout Ontario and complement the Ministry of Education’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy.

1.1 Public Education and Awareness

The CRRF responds to requests for media interviews and speaking engagements on a variety of race-related topics and issues a large number of press releases and statements on current matters.

The Education and Training Centre develops and delivers diversity, equity and human rights education and training within a race relations framework through courses, workshops and dialogues. These are delivered to both the public and private sectors. The Centre provides facilitators, speakers and panellists to augment educational initiatives. All initiatives and presentations are tailored to specific audiences and needs.

The CRRF places high importance on youth participation and is responding to the increased interest in opportunities for students by way of volunteer and intern recruitment, retention and development, which is directed at students and unemployed or underemployed young Canadians. Through programs such as the Federal Public Sector Youth Internship Program, the CRRF provides opportunities for unemployed or underemployed young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 to acquire the experience and skills they need to enter and fully participate in the labour market. Occasionally, the CRRF recruits graduate students to work on small research projects on a voluntary basis to help advance their research, analytical and writing skills. During past years, the CRRF has mentored undergraduate, graduate and graduated students from the fields of criminology, social work, education, and human rights. Through the Pro Bono Students Canada program, the CRRF partners with Osgoode Hall Law School to provide their students with the opportunity to conduct research on issues consistent with its strategic directions.

Education and Training Class of Records

Description: Information pertaining to education and training initiatives, including objectives, deliverables, outline and contents of the courses or workshops, names of the strategic partnership and attendance, and any follow-up evaluation or outreach.

Document Types: Proposals, contracts, agenda, list of course/workshop materials, speeches, press releases, pamphlets, journals, study guides, evaluation materials, attendance registers, speaking notes, presentations, course outlines.

Record Number: CRRF 001

  • Volunteers and Internships
    Description: This bank describes information related to volunteers and interns who have offered to assist with various CRRF projects or events. The personal information may include: name, contact information, emergency contact information, biographical information, educational information, and preferred tasks.
    Class of Individuals: General public, college and university students.
    Purpose: The personal information is used to select and place volunteers and interns and record their participation in support of CRRF activities and projects.
    Consistent Uses: The information may be used or disclosed for the following purposes: to compile a directory of volunteers and interns which lists their preferences for volunteer activities and projects, to evaluate or appraise volunteers and interns.
    Retention and Disposal Standards: To be determined.
    RDA Number: To be determined
    Related Record Number: CRRF 001
    TBS Registration: 20150045
    Bank Number: CRRF PSE 905
  • Consumer Merchandise Orders
    Description: This bank describes information that is about individuals or organizations who order CRRF publications, whether they are free of charge or purchased. The personal information may include: name, contact information, credit information, financial information, and cheque signature.
    Class of Individuals: General public, representative of non-government organizations, government institutions and private sector organizations.
    Purpose: The personal information is used to administer the sale and distribution of publications.
    Consistent Uses: The information may be used or disclosed for the following purposes: accounting, reporting to senior management, evaluation, research, mailing list and/or statistical.
    Retention and Disposal Standards: The records are retained for five years after the last administrative action on file and then destroyed.
    RDA Number: To be determined
    Related Record Number: CRRF 001
    TBS Registration: 20091601
    Bank Number: CRRF PPU 002
  • Contract Research Program
    Description: This bank describes information used in support of CRRF funding for anti-racism research. The personal information relative to researchers may include: name, contact information, biographical information, educational information, financial information, research or work proposals, references, letters of evaluation and the research advisory panel’s comments on each proposal, contract agreements and project reports.
    Class of Individuals: Individuals who respond to the CRRF’s call for proposals for anti-racism research.
    Purpose: The personal information is used to administer, determine eligibility for and disburse funds related to contract research program.
    Consistent Uses: The information may be used or disclosed for planning and evaluation purposes.
    Retention and Disposal Standards: To be determined.
    RDA Number: To be determined
    Related Record Number: CRRF 001
    TBS Registration: 20091602
    Bank Number: CRRF PPU 003

 2. Policy and Community Support

The CRRF contributes to and informs policy-making in the public and private sectors within Canada and augments Canada’s voice in the national arena by hosting, sponsoring or taking part in conferences, forums and panel discussions and conducting research.

 2.1. Dialogue and Civic Engagement

The Award of Excellence and Symposium, also known as the National Conference and Awards of Excellence, recognizes outstanding initiatives in race-related work. The Symposium is an event held every other year in partnership/co-sponsorship with a number of federal and provincial government departments, as well as private and communal sector agencies, and is designed to share information and best practices and facilitate networking among organizations and agencies.

The Canada Lecture is an annual event that features a distinguished Canadian speaker and provides a forum for addressing ways and challenges in confronting and eliminating racism and its manifestations. It serves as a unique medium for sharing views, experiences and visions about Canadian identity and citizenship.

Each year the CRRF carries out Roundtable Consultations focusing on present-day issues of direct relevance to its mandate and strategic priorities. The Roundtables provide a vibrant forum for a broad range of experts to convene and discuss pressing topics, exchange knowledge and expertise, and craft practical recommendations for addressing challenges and maximizing opportunities. The Roundtables are organized in partnership with stakeholders across the country and are generally open to the public to facilitate community engagement.

Research and analysis (Capturing the Pulse of the Nation) ensure that the CRRF can gauge the national pulse on the state of race relations. In cooperation with the Association for Canadian Studies, the CRRF commissions an annual survey on issues related to race relations and human rights in Canada.

The CRRF undertakes funded projects that are aligned with the mission and vision. Interfaith and Belonging: A Civic Education and Engagement Initiative facilitated national dialogue on interfaith cooperation and communication, promoted civic education and engagement, and provided the necessary tools to strengthen belonging. The project ran from April 2011 to March 2014 and was funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Subsequently, the Our Canada project ran from 2014 to March 2017, and the CRRF worked on the Canada Beyond 150 product until March 2020.

 3. Strategic Alliances and Partnerships

The CRRF develops strategic alliances with national and regional private, public and other institutions to strengthen and enhance its capacity to design and deliver programs and act as the leading national communications voice to disseminate information on and knowledge of race relations.

3.1 Partnership and Collaboration

The CRRF pursues its role as key partner of the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), human rights commissions across the country and Canadian municipalities to support and promote the mandate of the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CCMARD). The Coalition encourages its member municipalities to adopt positive race relations principles and strategies and foster the integration and engagement of all Canadians through the elimination of racism and racial discrimination in their respective jurisdictions. Since CCMARD’s inception, the CRRF has been an active and key partner.

The CRRF also seeks to support organizations to combat racism, promote events and education, and build a more anti-racist society, through funding opportunities.

Cooperation and Liaison Class of Records

Description: Includes records related to formal and informal cooperation and liaison activities with other federal, provincial/ territorial, municipal, and international governments/agencies, organizations, and academic institutions (where applicable) to ensure the effective management of horizontal initiatives, communicate institutional activities, and promote integrated approaches to developing and delivering institutional programs and services. May also include records related to coordinating programs for international delegations and visits, facilitating information exchanges in areas of common interest, sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices, developing joint service delivery initiatives in partnership with other provinces and territories, reinforcing strategic partnerships with established partners and creating new networks of influence to expand and intensify ties with other governments and/or organizations, and building more strategic relationships to advance institutional interests and priorities. May also include records related to outreach activities, the development of new strategic networks and partnerships, hosting and sharing information with international delegations, and attending regional, national, and international for a, roundtables, symposia and conferences.

Document Types: Minutes, agendas and records of decisions of multilateral and bilateral meetings, proceedings of symposia, roundtables and conferences, copies of bilateral and liaison agreements, drafts and final case studies reports, memoranda of cooperation, records of consultation activities, and international activity reports.

Record Number: PRN 904

Funding Opportunities Class of Record
Description: Includes records related to the application process submitted by organizations and their representatives, and the administration of the fund. Records include information related to the description, development, planning, administration, evaluation and monitoring of the funding opportunities.

Document Types: Application forms; funding guidelines and procedures; reports; budgets; correspondence; agreements and contracts; declaration of conflict-of-interest forms.
Record Number: CRRF 7500

Funding Opportunities Personal Information Bank
Description: This bank contains information related to stakeholders involved in the administration of CRRF funding initiatives, including but not limited to applicants, and their representatives and partners, and reviewers and assessors of such applications. The personal information may include name, contact information, occupation, job title, workplace, language of correspondence, signatures, financial information, and the opinions and views of, or about, the individual, including opinions in letters of support by partner organizations, and statements to conflict of interest or similar declarations and consents. Includes review committee evaluations, recommendations, and decisions. Includes information provided to CRRF by recipients that report on the outcomes of their initiatives and use of funds. May also include video and audio testimonials of successful applicants.
Note: Individuals seeking access to the personal information described in this bank should indicate the name of the relevant funding opportunity (e.g. National Anti-Racism Fund).
Class of individuals: Representatives and staff of applicant organizations and their partners; other third parties involved in the application to, and administration of, funding opportunities; CRRF staff; and members of review and assessment committees, including the CRRF Board of Directors.
Purpose: To support the administration of CRRF’s funding opportunities, including but not limited to: the receipt, review, and assessment of applications for funding; the disbursement of funds; and, monitoring the usage of funds. Personal information is collected under the authority of section 4(g) of the Canadian Race Relations Act.
Consistent uses: CRRF may share personal information to consult with other entities including federal funding agencies and organizations, including the Canada Council for the Arts, in consideration of additional funding opportunities and to support research and statistical purposes in support of CRRF’s mandate. Information may be provided to the Department of Canadian Heritage and/or other entities to verify if applicants are in receipt of other funding, to validate eligibility requirements. CRRF may use the information to report internally and externally on outcomes and results, including publishing certain details about successful applicants. Information may be used to contact individuals to collect feedback on the success of the funded initiatives and participate in outreach activities. Information may be used for research, analysis, statistical, planning, audit, and evaluation purposes. CRRF may share personal information to third parties, under contract, that host technical solutions used for funding application processes and administration.
Retention and disposal standards: Successful applications are retained for 10 years after the end of the fiscal year in which the information was collected, and then are transferred to the Library and Archives of Canada. Information related to the financial disbursement of funds are kept for 8 years after the fiscal year of award. Unsuccessful applications are retained for 3 years after the end of the fiscal in which the information was collected, and then are securely destroyed.
RDA number: 2015/15
Related record number: CRRF 7500
TBS registration: 202300006
Bank number: CRRF PPU 004

Internal Services

Internal services constitute groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are management and oversight services, communications services, legal services, human resources management services, financial management services, information management services, information technology services, real property services, materiel services, acquisition services, and travel and other administrative services. Internal services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Acquisition Services

Acquisition services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or service to fulfill a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.

Communications Services

Communications services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public—internal or external—receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.

Financial Management Services

Financial management services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.

Human Resources Management Services

Human resources management services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and plans.

Information Management Services

Information management services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision making; facilitate accountability, transparency and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations.

Management and Oversight Services

Management and oversight services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies or plans.

Travel and Other Administrative Services

Travel and other administrative services include Government of Canada travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.

Manuals

CRRF Human Resources Policy and Procedures

CRRF Employee Conduct, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Code

CRRF Investment Policy Statement

CRRF Strategic Plan 2011- 2014

Additional Information

For general information about making a request for access to information or personal information, see Make an access to information or personal information request.

To make a request for information online, access the Access to Information and Personal Information Online Request Service.

To make a request for information under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act by mail, mail your letter or completed Access to Information Request Form (Access to Information Act) or Personal Information Request Form (Privacy Act), along with any necessary documents (such as consent or the $5 application fee for a request under the Access to Information Act), to the following address:

Arsalan Tavassoli
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
6 Sakura Way
Suite 225
Toronto, Ontario M3C 1Z5

Telephone: 416-441-2733
Toll Free: 1-888-240-4936
Fax:  416-441-2752

In accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, an area on the premises will be made available to review original materials on site if that is the applicant’s preference (and it is practical to do so), or if it is not practical to create copies of the material.

Please note: Each request made to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation under the Access to Information Act must be accompanied by an application fee of $5. For requests made online, this is paid at the time of application via credit card. For requests made by mail, this should be paid by enclosing cheque or money order made payable to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through requests outside of the formal request processes. To make an informal request, contact us.

You may also wish to search summaries of completed access to information requests for which the Canadian Race Relations Foundation has already provided responses, as this information may be more easily obtained.

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation conducts privacy impact assessments (PIAs) to ensure that privacy implications will be appropriately identified, assessed and resolved before a new or substantially modified program or activity involving personal information is implemented. Summaries of completed PIAs are available.

Stay informed

Get the latest news. Learn more. Get involved.

Subscribe now