Toronto, ON — The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) announced today that after founding the organization and serving as co-Chairs for 16 years, the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul have passed the torch to a new generation of leadership. Mr. Irfhan Rawji, a Calgary-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, has been named Chair of the ICC.
To honour their ongoing legacy, the ICC is launching the TheDifferenceMakers.ca, a campaign inspired by the stories of real Difference Makers who make Canada stronger and more vibrant.
As a refugee who rose to become Governor General, Madame Clarkson founded the ICC with Mr. Ralston Saul, to continue the centuries-old Canadian tradition of welcoming immigrants not just as residents, but as citizens. This work remains critical, especially in light of recent research by the ICC revealing newcomers’ growing disillusionment with Canada. Citizenship adoption rates declined 40% between 2001 and 2021. 30% of newcomers under 30 plan to leave Canada within two years.
“We started the Institute for Canadian Citizenship to ensure that the Canada in which a refugee girl could become Governor General would never become a country of the past,” said Mme Clarkson and Mr. Ralston Saul. “But our dream is in jeopardy,” they added. “A strong and effective ICC is our legacy to Canada.”
Mr. Rawji is Managing Partner at Relay Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, and is the founder and Executive Chair of MobSquad, an innovative Canadian start up that helps software engineers from around the world immigrate to Canada. He has been serving on the ICC’s Board of Directors since its founding.
“Immigrants aren’t the cause of Canada’s failings. In fact, they’re a big part of the answer.” concluded Irfhan Rawji, ICC’s new Chair. “But we need to deliver on our promise to immigrants. If we fail, Canada’s prosperity and dynamism will suffer. The ICC is leading the effort to turn restore the promise of Canada to newcomers. I am honoured and humbled to be entrusted with the opportunity to safeguard and advance the vision of our founders, who are, simply put, exceptional Canadians.”
The ICC will be hosting its annual Gala on February 6, 2024.
Full bios and high-resolution photos are here:
About the ICC
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) works to unlock Canada for newcomers, facilitating and encouraging the journey towards full and active Canadian citizenship. The ICC is an independent charity, co-founded in 2006 by the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul.
The ICC is best-known for its Canoo Access Pass, a mobile app that currently provides some 250,000 newcomers with free entry to over 1,400 of Canada’s best culture and nature attractions, plus exclusive deals with leading brands, so that they fall in love with Canada, stay, and become citizens.
Media Contact
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media@inclusion.ca
