In recent years, Carleton County has witnessed a significant influx of families from countries around the world. This is largely due to the expansion of McCain Foods in the Florenceville area and the demand for truck driving professionals in Woodstock’s transportation industry. Carleton County’s population represents 30 different cultures, from; Latin America, Europe, Asia, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and more. The region’s population growth is almost entirely due to the arrival of new immigrants.
In an effort to embrace and celebrate this cultural diversity, the Multicultural Association of Carleton County (MACC) was formed. Beginning in 2001, meetings were held to identify the needs of the community and to develop a mandate. By 2003 the organization was formed and governed by a Board of Directors which set down the Constitution and outlined the Goals and Objectives.
The Objectives of the Association are:
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to facilitate contact and communication between persons of different cultural backgrounds,
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to foster harmonious relationships among all cultural groups and
individuals,
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to raise public consciousness and acceptance of Multiculturalism,
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to assist newcomers to become established in the community, and
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to act as an advocate on issues dealing with Multiculturalism.
By 2006, after working with sporadic funding and project based short term activities resulting in the inability to retain qualified staff MACC went through a period of inactivity. In 2007, national attention became focused on MACC with a CBC profiling of Carleton County and the fact that per capita, Carleton County has the most newcomers in Canada. Work began again and funding was sought to continue operations. Since January 2007 MACC has begun to grow and that growth continues today with the opening of a second office/classroom in Woodstock.
