About Us
The Canadian Anti-racism Education and Research Society is a registered non-profit society and has charity status. The purpose of the Society is to:
- Track and monitor hate group activity
- Provide victim support services for hate crime and systemic racism
- Provide public education about institutional racism, hate groups and hate group recruitment
- Help youth leave hate groups
- Liaise with law enforcement and other agencies on racism and hate group activity
- Work with and support organizations with similar objectives
- Advocate for legislative change to help stop systemic racism and hate motivated activity
Our track record is proven. We have helped organize some of the largest anti-racism and hate demonstrations in Canada and our research and work have shut down hate groups. We have held successful conferences and a wide variety of workshops on stopping racism and hate.
CAERS has helped organized some of the largest demonstrations against organized hate groups in Canada, including 3,000 people in 1992 to protest in downtown Vancouver against White Aryan Resistance, 2,500 people in 1989 to commemorate the life of Nirmal Sign Gill who was kicked to death by five racist skinheads, and 4,000 in August 2017 against the Soldiers of Odin.
A brief outline of CAERS’ history of opposition to hate groups is outlined in Action. This brief history is important because it demonstrates how organized hate groups can effectively be opposed and dispels common notions about the structure, organization, international connections, membership and methods of recruitment of hate groups.
CAERS has received commendations from every level of government, schools, unions and a wide variety of public institutions throughout Canada for its successful work. Wheninstitutions have problems with racist groups, CAERS has trained staff and resolved conflict. In the case of Corrections Canada, for example, CAERS developed and implemented a training program for Matsqui Institution that was recommended by the Warden for implementation throughout Canada. The initiative received an award from the BC Government for anti-racism education and training.
The Society also works closely with the mainstream media to cover important issues and in 2018 received an award for fighting racism from SPICE radio, one of the largest South-Asian radio stations in the province of BC.
CAERS maintains a Facebook page[1], a website[2]and a YouTube[3]channel to provide current intelligence and resources on hate groups and hate crime. The website provides a report form for the targets of hate crime and more comprehensive analysis of racism. The Facebook page receives 4-5 thousands hits per week and the website between 5-10,000 per month. The website is currently under repair after months of repeated attacks.
CAERS also works with a variety of agencies and foundations, including the Vancouver Film School. The work undertaken with the Vancouver Film School was to develop anti-racist education materials. CAERS also received funding from the National Film Board to interview and document how people are recruited into hate groups and how some are able to leave. CAERS is now working with several universities to develop an educational application for students as part of a first year social studies curriculum.
However, like many front line anti-racist groups, the Society has not received funding from any level of government since 2007 due to changes in the priorities and programs of various government agencies due to the belief that hate groups and racism were no longer a serious problem in Canadian society. Lobbying by the Society for legislative change to enable prosecution of online hate and hate crime also violates charitable tax regulations on the percentage of time allowed for lobbying. As a result, the Society now depends on volunteers and the generosity of community groups and union locals to carry out critical research and education on right wing extremism and the growth of hate groups in Canada. This is a serious problem since hate group activity in Canada is poorly understood within much government, law enforcement, intelligence and academic work. The failure to properly understand social movements, right wing populism and the convergence of far right ideology and with some political parties and leaders has led to a critical failure to adequately address hate and hate crime in Canada and the United States.
Workshop Evaluations
"The Ministry of Multiculturalism and Immigration greatly acknowledges the important contribution to the United to Combat Racism: Equality-Dignity-Justice by the Canadian Ant-racism Education and Research Society. Your input, collaboration and leadership made this initiative [WCAR consultations] a success and effectively demonstrated the benefits when government and non-governmental organizations work together to build a society that is free from racism." Hon. Sue Hammell, Minister of Multiculturalism and Immigration
"I would like to thank you once again for the invitation to attend your symposium It is essential that more people are informed of the existence of Hate Crimes and to what extent they are directly related to racism in society. Prior to attending this symposium, I was aware of the existence of Racism and Hate Crimes, however not to the magnitude that was presented at the symposium. It was indeed very informative and at the same time very discouraging to learn there is such malice in society." D.G. Parsons, Sgt. and Inspector G.L. Geddes, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
"This is to express our great appreciation for the excellent keynote you delivered to the Program Against Racism Training Conference in October You brought home to them [PAR members] the great need for the education system to help our younger generations counter the divisive forces at work by white supremacist groups in Canada. For many teachers, your presentation was the highlight of the conference." Viren Joshi, Coordinator, Program Against Racism, B.C. Teachers' Federation
"I am writing to thank you very much for the work you did with us last year at Pitt Meadows Secondary School and to inform you of the impact your work has made on our school culture and climate. Having you come in and share your expertise with us, gave us insights into how to make our school safer and how to build policies that keep individuals safe at our school.
It was crucial that we had an "outsiders" perspective and someone who felt strong enough to interview and meet with the "offenders" in our school, to listen to them, as well as challenge them.
PMSS is an entirely different school this year. Our school feels safer and a much more peaceful place to be. Perhaps it is partially due to the expansion of our school, the lower enrollment, and the fact that a few individuals have left. However, I feel it is mostly due to the hard work led by you and by many individuals in our school. Saying "thank you" does not reveal the depth of my gratitude.
I hope this letter not only acknowledges your work but also supports your work in other places and with other groups." School Teacher, PMSS
"On behalf of the multicultural heritage society and the intercultural committee of Prince George, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you As you know the workshop was a success and we hope it is the first of many such opportunities for northern communities who engage in multiculturalism work It appears from the evaluations that this workshop not only provided an excellent networking experience for participants but also provided them with substantial knowledge and skill building experience" August Horning, Multicultural/Social Justice Coordinator Multicultural Heritage Society and the Intercultural Committee of Prince George
"Our sincere thanks for helping make this conference [northern anti-racism action conference held in June, 2002] possible. Your time and the effort you have made to support this cause will go a long way in brining the northern communities together and helping create racial harmony." Prince George Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre
"On behalf of the residents and staff of the Holly Open Custody Center, I would like to acknowledge the valuable work and the excellent workshops that the Canadian Anti Racism Education and Research Society have provided regularly for us." Heather Wolf, Executive Director, Holly Open Custody Center
"Without the support of the Canadian Anti-racism Education and Research Society, and particularly Alan Dutton, the conference [Youth Against Hate, Toronto.] could not have happened on the scale it did. We thank Alan for his principled approach towards dealing with grassroots organizations." Anti-racist Action (Toronto)
"I would like to thank you for your courage and willingness to take a stand against racism." Hon. Anita Hagan, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism
"The Society has a long history of working with coalitions and local community groups to effectively respond to racism." Hon. Joan Smallwood, MLA
"Thank you for your contribution to the latest issue of Looking In, Looking Out. Your time, consideration and knowledge has helped us to produce a publication that we know will benefit students throughout B.C. and the Yukon." Elisa Sguazzin, Ministry of Education, Province of British Columbia
"I am writing to thank you for you participation in the round table discussion of the B.C. Human Rights Review. Input from the community is a central tenet of this review process and thus your attendance at this discussion was greatly appreciated. You raised important points at this meeting regarding cross cultural training for Council staff, the need for community based monitoring of Council activities and the idea that certain complaints should be fast tracked in order to speed up the process. Thanks again for your ongoing help in your many capacities." Bill Black, Special Advisor, B.C. Human Rights Review
"Your discussions inspired Mayor Jim Lornie to ask the Administrator to review District of Campbell River hiring policies to ensure they are non-discriminatory. We appreciate the information about the training that the society is able to offer and I trust that we will choose to access you in the future. I thank you for your support and encouragement to Campbell River and I look forward to future interaction with The society." Barb Wallington, Healthy Communities Coordinator
"I find your publication How to deal with Racial Violence an excellent resource." Muriel Hanchoch, B.C. Council of Human Rights
"This well written brochure [How to Respond to Racism] compliments the policies of the Richmond School District as well as those of Ferris Elementary." Ken A. Clausen, Principle, Ferris Elementary
"The Ministry recognizes that the society has made an important contribution in combating hate crime and hate activity in British Columbia. The hard work and dedication towards this cause by Alan Dutton, Executive Director, and his staff are very much appreciated." Cathy Stigant, Executive Director, Multicultural and Immigration Department, Province of British Columbia
"Thank you for allowing me to participate in your Symposium. I was extremely impressed with the calibre of all of the organizers and the other participants and made some new friends. It is a real tribute to your organization that the Symposium went as smoothly and professionally as it did." Mark J. Sandler, Cooper, Sandler, West & Skurka, Barristers & Solicitors
"I would like to thank you very much for asking me to participate in the symposium on Racism, Hate Crimes and the Law. It was tremendously helpful to my research for my next book, and it was good to meet so many like-minded people. The Society did a terrific job of organizing the event, and it deserves a lot of credit for doing so." Warren Kinsella, LL.B. author and former Special Advisor to Prime Minister of Canada, Hon. Jean Chretien
"I want to congratulate you on a very successful conference. It was a pleasure and an honour to be a part of it." Dr. Karen Mock, former Executive Director Canadian Race Relations Foundation and former National Director, League for Human Rights, B"nai Brith, Canada
Additional Letters of References and Conferences
Letter from Mrs. Judy Brayden NDTA Professional Development, BC.
Letter from Multicultural Heritage BC
Multicultural Heritage, Prince George. Letter from Diversity Initiatives College of New Caledonia, BC.
Certificate of Appreciation Run Against Racism. Kelowna, BC.
Letter from Mrs. Deborah Toye-Wakefield Run Against Racism. Peachland, BC.
Letter from Mrs. Marg Boyd Central Okanagan Teachers' Association, BC.
Letter from Mr. L. Jame Staschuk, Director BC Federation of Labour, BC.
Letter from Mrs. Mary Clifford, Director Native Friendship Center, Prince George.
BC Eliminate Racism Together Awards BC Government, BC.
Letter from Mrs. Viren Joshi BC Teachers' Federation, BC.
Letter from Mr. Emery O. Barnes, Speaker Legislative Assembly, BC.
Letter from Mr. Roger D. Elmes Kwantleen University College, Surrey.
Letter from Mrs. Barbara Binns Lagara College, Vancouver.
Letter from Ferial McCann Canadian Heritage, Canada.
Letter from Mrs. Annette Vey-Chilton School District No 39, Vancouver.
Letter from Mr. Art Charbonneau, Minister of Education Minister of Education, BC.
Letter from Mrs. Jadine Leclaire Panorama Park Elementary School, Vancouver.
Letter from Mr. G.L. Geddes, Inspector Royal Mounted Police, Canada.
Letter from Mr. J.D. Bissell, QC Department of Justice, Canada.
Letter from Mr. Bea Cleary Department of Justice, Canada.
Selected Conferences that CAERS Sponsored, Organized or Facilitated
Northern Regional Conference IMS Society. Prince George, BC.
World Conference Against Racism En'Owkin and MMI. Penticton, BC.
Anti-racism Research On-line Youth Vancouver, BC.
Renewing Vigilance: Human Rights in the World Community Westin Bayshore. Vancouver, BC.
Renewing Vigilance: Human Rights in the World Community - Agenda Westin Bayshore. Vancouver, BC.
Educators Against Racism Park Hill Hotel. Vancouver, BC.
E.A.R. P.S.A. Conference Park Hill Hotel. Vancouver, BC.
Solidarity Conference BC Federation of Labour. Richmond, BC.
Stategies to End Racism Forum - Summary Notes Multiculturalism BC. Vancouver, BC.
Run Against Rasism CAERS. Kelowna, BC.
Communities Against Racism & Extremism CAERS et al. Surrey, BC.
Prince George Hate Crime Forum Native Friendship Center. Prince George, BC.
Anti-racism Task Force Forum CLC & BCFL. Vancouver, BC.
Equity & Diversity Conference BCGEU. New Westminster, BC.
Winnipeg Conference W.A.R.N. & UAR. Winnipeg, Manitoba.
"Organized Hate Group" School District No 39. Vancouver, BC.
"Anti-racism in the Workplace Conference" Capri Hotel. Kelowna, BC.
"Anti-racism in the Workplace Conference"- Agenda Capri Hotel. Kelowna, BC.
Second Generation Conference Vancouver Holocaust Center Society. Vancouver, BC.
Working Information on Hate Motivated Crimes The Concord. Burnaby, BC.
"Anti-racism Seminar" Inter-Cultural Association. Campbell River, BC.
Community Presentations Creston Valley HR Coalition. Creston, BC.
"Hate Crime" Chiefs of Police. Ottawa, ON.
"Organizing Against Hate: Developing Community Stategies and Networks" CAERS' Project. Vancouver, BC.
Conference Against Racism University College of the Cariboo. Kamloops, BC.
Multiculturalism in Surrey - A Symposium Surrey-Delta Multiculturalism. Surrey, BC.
Racism Awareness Forum Filipino-Canadian Organizing for Action. Vancouver, BC.
Social Inequality & Social Justice Western ASA. Vancouver, BC.
Leadership Seminar Against Organized Racism Kelowna Against Organized Racism (KAOR). Kelowna, BC..