A/HRC/13/23/Add.2 Action Plan Against Racism, as making “important contributions to the scope of the equality and linguistic provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms”. Despite this, in September 2006 the funding for the Program was terminated. Funding was partially restored under the Program to Support Linguistic Rights in 2008, however not for other, non-linguistic minority and discrimination issues. III. Non-discrimination and equality 23. According to Statistics Canada research, the proportion of visible minorities who felt they had experienced discrimination was twice that of non-visible minorities. Overall, 81 per cent of visible minorities who felt that they had experienced discrimination believed that it was because of their race or ethnic origin. The Ethnic Diversity Survey (EDS) 6 revealed that about 20 per cent of visible minorities reported experiences of discrimination sometimes or often, compared to 10 per cent of non-visible minorities. Nearly 32 per cent of blacks said that they had experienced discrimination sometimes or often. About 21 per cent of South Asians and 18 per cent of Chinese respondents reported experiencing discrimination. Discrimination was most often experienced at work or in a store or bank. 24. A 2003 survey7 reported that 74 per cent of Canadians polled believe that racism is prevalent in Canada. Muslim and Arab groups highlight research conducted in 2007 revealing that 47 per cent of respondents confessed to some racist views and that their prejudice is “planted firmly at the door of Arab and Muslim minorities”.8 African Canadian representatives stated that anti-black racism must be understood in the context of a history rooted in the maintenance and perpetuation of stereotypes of African Canadians as inferior, overly aggressive and prone to criminality. 25. In March 2005, A Canada for All: Canada’s Action Plan Against Racism was adopted. The Action Plan acknowledged that racism and discrimination exist and that a comprehensive strategy and programme of action is required. Six key priority areas seek: (a) to assist victims and groups vulnerable to racism and discrimination; (b) to develop forward-looking approaches to promote diversity and combat racism; (c) to strengthen the role of civil society; (d) to strengthen regional and international cooperation; (e) to educate children and youth on diversity and anti-racism; and (f) to counter hate and bias. 26. The Government notes that the Action Plan represents a concerted effort across organizations to advance inclusiveness through over 40 existing programmes and initiatives, 6 new initiatives and $Can 56 million allocated over 5 years. It claims positive results in key areas: workplace discrimination, youth integration, hate crime reporting, racebased issues in the justice system, and institutional change within public institutions to remove systemic barriers. The Government states that its Multiculturalism Program continues to achieve success through important public education initiatives, research and policy development, and support and grants to civil society and public institutions. 27. A variety of provincial initiatives have been established. In 2008, Quebec adopted the policy “Diversity: An Added Value”, primarily focused on combating racism and racial discrimination. An action plan proposes measures targeting education, the exercise of 6 7 8 8 A post-census survey of 42,500 people in 2002 provided information on how people’s backgrounds affect their participation in social, economic and cultural life, including perceptions of discrimination. Commissioned by the Centre for Research and Information on Canada and The Globe and Mail. Survey of Canadian attitudes toward immigrant ethnic communities, conducted by Leger Marketing in January 2007. Reported by the Canadian Arab Federation. GE.10-11860