Infrastructure Funding Results Announced

The Japanese Canadian Legacies Society is pleased to share the funding results of Infrastructure, Community Fund 2. While the society operates in BC, we recognize the importance of serving the communities that were scattered across Canada as a result of the forced uprooting and dispersal of almost 22,000 Japanese Canadians in the 1940s. With limited available funds, our teams have worked to serve the diverse needs of organizations across Canada and the changing demographics of the community. Grants have been awarded based on project scope, feasibility, capacity, and need, ranging from $10 thousand to $1 million.

Special thanks to the Advisory Team of Art Miki, Naomi Yamamoto, Dan Nomura, Jordan Riley, and Gary Kawaguchi, who used their collective expertise to refine the guidelines and provide guidance to the assessment process. We also thank the Assessment Team of Nao Seko, Mike Matsuo, Mike Aoki, Kim Kalanj, and Gary Kawaguchi. We owe deep gratitude to this group for the many hours of work that went into ensuring that the assessment process was fair and equitable across both categories. It is our hope that the funds will strengthen infrastructure for the Japanese Canadian community for generations to come.

Legacy Infrastructure Projects

Calgary Japanese Community Association
New Community Centre feasibility study for the legacy project that serves the greater Calgary area.

Central Vancouver Island Japanese Canadian Society
Construction of outdoor Nanaimo Nikkei Legacy Performing, Gathering & Commemorating Space to commemorate and honour the Japanese Canadians who lived in Nanaimo prior to 1942. The organization serves Vancouver Island.

Japanese Canadian Hastings Park Interpretive Centre Society
Upgrade of a dedicated section of the historic Livestock Building so that the site can serve as an Interpretive Centre to acknowledge and remember over 8,000 Japanese Canadians who were incarcerated in 1942 at the PNE fairgrounds in Vancouver.  

Japanese Canadian Heritage Committee of the Steveston Community Society
Creation of legacy pathways connecting the Japanese Canadian Culture Centre (JCCC) and the Steveston Martial Arts Centre; plus upgrade and extension of kitchen and dining area. The project serves Richmond and aims to provide a lasting legacy to the Steveston area.

Steveston Buddhist Temple
Construction of legacy San-mon Gate, providing a new entry to the Steveston Temple that marks the boundary between the outside public world and the inner sacred part of the Temple.

Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall
The Interpretive Centre Project consists of repairs & upgrades ensuring a second century of stewardship of the legacy building located in the historic Powell Street neighbourhood of Vancouver.

Building Improvements

BTN Senior Care Management
Safety Matters For Seniors! – New generator, washlets, window & floor coverings to seniors home at Rosewood by Nikoniko serving the BC lower mainland. 

Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta
Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta HVAC and plumbing for the temple that serves the Lethbridge area of Alberta.

Calgary Buddhist Temple
Audio visual equipment replacement and improvements to serve the Calgary community.

Canadian Japanese Cultural Centre of Hamilton
Extensive building improvements for the centre which serves the Hamilton area. 

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
Roof replacement project for the cultural centre which serves the Greater Toronto area, extending to the Province of Ontario. 

Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba
Renovation of JCAM centre exterior parking lot upgrades, exterior building envelope, interior renovations, gymnasium upgrades. Organization serving all of Manitoba.

Japanese Gospel Church of Toronto
Bathroom and lighting work for the Japanese Gospel Church of Toronto.

Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canadaz
Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada Headquarter and Hondo roof repairs and fencing upgrade.

Kelowna Buddhist Society
Kelowna Buddhist Temple kitchen upgrades including fire suppression unit.

Momiji Seniors Residence
Parking garage repair for Momiji serving Japanese Canadian survivors in the Greater Toronto area and beyond.

Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
HVAC Replacement at the Cultural Centre that serves the BC lower mainland, including the museum that serves Canada. 

Nikkei Seniors Health Care and Housing Society
Renovation of Nimi Nikkei Home dining room serving Japanese Canadian survivors in the BC lower mainland.

Toronto Buddhist Church
Upgrading HVAC, kitchen and flooring for the historic temple, providing essential upgrades for subsequent generations.

Vancouver Japanese United Church
Upgrading HVAC, roofing, and electrical for this historic organization.

Vernon Japanese Cultural Society
Full renovations for the interior of the Cultural Centre, including new storage rooms for an organization serving the Vernon community and beyond.

Note: this list is subject to change pending further assessment.