Chatham-Kent is far more multicultural than it may seem from the outside and the federal government wants to help the municipality not just promote its different cultures, but celebrate them.
The parliamentary secretary to the minister of Canadian heritage, Arif Virani, was at the Capitol Theatre Wednesday to meet with members of local community organizations and talk about the government's plans to promote cultural diversity.
CK was one of Virani's stops as he is travelling through different parts of the country explaining what funding is available for organizations looking to promote diversity.
Virani said CK is a vibrant community and is far more diverse than originally meets the eye.
"People have predetermined ideas about smaller centres like Chatham-Kent, but as you can see with the leadership of city councillors and the mayor that people are actively embracing diversity," Virani said. "It is way more diverse than I thought it was and I confess, I haven't spent much time here in Chatham-Kent until now."
Virani said the government is trying to ensure the successful harmonization and integration of newcomers through multiculturalism support. He added too often smaller communities are forgotten about when it comes to promoting diversity, and the stigma they aren't as diverse as big cities, so they don't need the funding, should to stop.
The secretary added the government is trying to eliminate the word "tolerance" when it comes to other cultures as it gives the impression the country is just putting up with them. He said the goal is to celebrate and bring together other cultures, without diminishing Canadian culture.
"It is actually enhancing Canadian culture," Virani said. "We find most discrimination is based on pure ignorance. You don't know the other so therefore you stereotype or generalize the other."
Virani said some of the racism that happens in Canada is from immigrants who don't understand other peoples cultures. He added planning events to get them together on common ground will show them they have more similarities than they think.
"The aspects of a religious feast for Italians during Easter aren't different from the religious feast for Muslims during Ramadan," Virani said. "So once you get Italians and Muslims together talking to one another and understanding that, they can break down those perceptions that they have of one another and can advance to different issues such as 'our daughters are dealing with the same bully in school,' or 'we want our boys to get to post-secondary education,'" he said.
Virani said what the government found works best is bringing people of different faiths or cultures together and at an informal event related something like arts or sports.
"I am a big fan of cricket and soccer, which are global sports that attract global people," Virani said. "The fact it is happening in Leamington where you get West Indian migrant workers chatting with South Asian Muslims over the medium of cricket is a beautiful thing and that's exactly what we should be promoting."
Virani said local organizations looking to host events regarding multiculturalism can contact the federal government and they will try to do what they can to provide funding.