UNA-Canada Presents: A Sense of Belonging
Promote diversity and combat racism and discrimination

St. John's, NL

St. John's the provincial capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador. The city is located on the northeast coast of the Avalon Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the most easterly city in North America, as well as the second largest city in Atlantic Canada, after Halifax.

Population: 100,646
Greater St. John’s Population: 181,113
[Source: Statistics Canada 2007]

The Italian navigator Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot), sailing under English flag, was the first European to sail into the harbour, on June 24, 1497.Every summer the population swelled with the arrival of migratory fishermen. In 1680, fishing ships set up fishing rooms at St. John's, bringing hundreds of Irish men into the port to operate inshore fishing boats. St. John's grew slowly and although it was primarily a fishing station, it was also a garrison, a centre of government and, increasingly over the years, a commercial hub.

Today, St John's has become a key import-service centre, and much of the population works for government, especially since the province joined Confederation in 1949. Close proximity to oil discoveries on the Grand Banks and the development of major oil fields in the 1990s have significantly boosted the city's economic and physical development.

 

‘A Sense of Belonging’ Priority Areas for St. John’s:

  1. Prejudice & Indifference
    - Global awareness of those issues within communities
    - Common actions undertaken to fight prejudice, indifference and intolerance
    - People thinking that their voices have been heard and that their community is more tolerant
  2. Civic Participation
    - More people from visible minorities involved in community activities
    - More people from visible minorities participating in civic actions such as election
  3. Media portrayal/Stereotyping
    - Local media outlets frame stories with greater sensitivity
    - More local media broadcast related to diversity with local leaders and resource persons

 

2007 Regional Report
(information compiled during St. John’s Regional Visit)
DATES: August 4-16, 2007

 

Regional Coordinator
C. W. Cho

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