Recognizing the Global Pluralism Award Winners and the Vital Work of Charities and Non-profits
On May 11, 2022 Senator Omidvar gave a statement in support of charities and nonprofits that do vital work in Canada and around the world, and congratulated the winners of the Global Pluralism Award.
Hon. Ratna Omidvar: Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to civil society and the thousands of charities and not-for-profits who do amazing work here in Canada and overseas in good times, bad times and in really hard times. Like others, the charitable sector has been hit hard during the COVID crisis. Demand for services has risen, even as its revenue has fallen. Notwithstanding, the sector has been ever-present and ever ready to serve Canadians. I’m delighted to see their leaders in the gallery today. They include the leadership of Imagine Canada, Philanthropic Foundations Canada and the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities.
The sector and its work is so deeply embedded in our daily lives that I fear we tend to take it for granted. We don’t grasp that there are 170,000 charities and not-for-profits that are the veritable glue that hold our society together. We don’t see the more than 2 million jobs that the sector creates. We don’t always appreciate that it contributes over $150 billion to our economy. They are here on the Hill today to knock on the doors of Parliamentarians and to make their requests. So, please, if they knock on your door, open it and listen to them.
Next to them in the gallery, we have the recipients of the Global Pluralism Award for this year. The award celebrates the extraordinary achievements of individuals and organizations who are tackling the challenge of living peacefully with diversity side by side.
I was honoured to serve on the selection jury this year under the able leadership of former prime minister Joe Clark, and I appreciate so much more that they work in places such as India, Israel, Kenya, Afghanistan, Dominican Republic and Malawi, but also here in Canada. They make a significant contribution to the notion of pluralism, which is a uniquely Canadian idea.
It is very appropriate that we are celebrating them here in Ottawa this week. Please join me in acknowledging these individuals and their organizations in our chamber.