News

December 3, 2011

Human Rights Agencies call on Governments across Canada to Implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Marking December 3rd United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA) today launched its new brochure, Canada and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was set up to "promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity." It is about the rights of persons with disabilities and what countries that have ratified the CRPD are expected to do.

The CRPD was developed and passed in record time by the UN with unprecedented involvement and support from persons with disabilities; their motto is "Nothing about us without us!" Canada signed the CRPD in 2007 and ratified it in March 2010.

"The CRPD strengthens legal rights for persons with disabilities in all jurisdictions in Canada", commented Barbara Hall, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and current President of CASHRA. "This requires federal, provincial and territorial governments to develop and carry out policies, laws and measures that will better protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities."

CRPD rights and obligations involve making sure persons with disabilities:

Can access their environment, transportation, public facilities and services, information and communications and related technologies without barriers
Have equal protection without discrimination under the law and have legal capacity to make important life decisions and control their own affairs, with supports if needed
Are not deprived of their liberty and are free from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, exploitation and abuse
Are able to live independently in the community, with supports if necessary including for families with disabilities
Have equal access to an adequate standard of living, education, health care, work and rehabilitation services
Can vote, run for elections, hold office and otherwise be involved in political and public life
Are able to participate in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport

CASHRA is calling on federal, provincial and territorial governments to begin fulfilling their CRPD obligations by:

Designating one or more focal points within government, such as an office for disability issues, with responsibilities for implementing the CRPD
Identifying initiatives and developing priority plans that demonstrate how they will address CRPD rights and obligations
Making sure independent mechanisms, such as human rights commissions, are in place and have adequate resources to promote, protect and monitor implementation of the CRPD
Consulting and involving persons with disabilities and their representative organizations to monitor implementation of the CRPD including providing resources to support and accommodate their participation
Collecting data and other research, promoting awareness and reporting on progress

Canada is required to submit its first CRPD progress report to the UN by April 2012.

Visit CASHRA.ca for a copy of CASHRA's new brochure on the CRPD and to learn more about what human rights commissions across Canada are doing to help promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

Brochure - Canada and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

For more information:
Afroze Edwards
Sr. Communications Officer
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Communications and Issues Management
afroze.edwards@ohrc.on.ca
(416) 314-4528

March 21, 2011

For immediate release:

Celebrating the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Toronto – Today, human rights commissions and agencies across Canada and throughout the world are celebrating the United Nations (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The UN designated March 21st in 1966 to commemorate a tragedy that took place on March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa when 69 peaceful demonstrators were killed as they protested against apartheid. Canada was one of the first countries to support the UN initiative.

Barbara Hall, President of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies and Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, stated that, "Although we have come a long way as a society in dealing with racism and discrimination since 1960, we still have a lot of work to do until we can truly say that we have overcome racism in all its forms. I am delighted that commissions across Canada are marking this day with activities that recognize how important it is to continue fighting discrimination and promoting tolerance and mutual respect for one another."

Here are some highlights:

Alberta

Special issue of the Commission's online newsletter about this significant day is being issued on March 11. http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/publications/AHRIS.asp
Joint Commission/Government of Alberta news release on March 11.
Collating a 2010 calendar of events in Southern Alberta related to March 21 and posting this, in addition to the Northern Alberta calendar of events on the Ministry website. http://culture.alberta.ca/humanrights/dates/march21/default.aspx
In partnership with the Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative, holding an event celebrating March 21st that will feature a speech by Chief Mason
Attending other March 21st related events.

New Brunswick:

News release
Website links to the Anti-racism and diversity schools project and activities marking March 21 in communities

Nova Scotia:

Film Festival featuring Canadian films that focus on different aspects of racial discrimination.
- I Am Canadian / Je suis Canadien
- The Right to Bare Arms / Changer son fusil d'épaule
- Still Here: A Journey to Triumph
- Wild West / Far West
- Pier 21 Gateway of Hope
- Driving While Black.

Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission:

Executive Director taking part in panel discussion for the Association for New Canadians' 2011 Diversity Symposium, March 23, 2011

Quebec:

Launching final report on racial profiling and its consequences on youth aged 14-25 in the field of public and private security, education youth protection.

Manitoba:

Announcing launch of new website, The Manitoba Class Action, at www.manitobaclassaction.com, designed for students who have an interest in human rights as well as teachers who are looking for a catalyst for class discussions and a tool for human rights education.

Saskatchewan:

Featuring African Canadian History Virtual Museum on website which ties in with UN year for people of African descent
Holding community events including "Spring free from Racism' a multicultural event with food, dancers and speakers

Ontario:

Chief Commissioner takes part in a panel discussion on "Municipalities and the Commitment to Anti-Racism" at Toronto City Hall on March 21, 2011 that looks at issues municipalities currently face regarding racism and discrimination, and examines possible solutions.

For further information:

Afroze Edwards
Senior Communications Officer
Communications and Issues Management
416-314-4528
Afroze.edwards@ohrc.on.ca

March 1, 2011

Registration open for national human right conference in Calgary, Alberta

Registration is now open for the 2011 conference of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA). The Alberta Human Rights Commission is hosting this year’s conference, entitledHuman Rights in Canada: New Realities, New Directions, from June 13 to June 15, 2011 in Calgary, Alberta. The conference will focus on new realities related to human rights, diversity and inclusion in Canada and on new directions in building discrimination-free, welcoming and inclusive communities, organizations and workplaces.

Employees of human rights commissions, lawyers in the human rights field and human resource professionals are encouraged to attend the conference. The Commission also looks forward to welcoming a diverse range of participants who represent the interests of a wide variety of communities, including cultural groups, the Aboriginal community, persons with disabilities, and the LGBT community.

“The Commission is pleased to offer you an extremely strong program with expert speakers and presenters from across the country. I encourage all organizations and individuals involved or interested in reducing discrimination and fostering equality in Canada to register for this conference,” said D. Blair Mason, Chief of the Commission and Tribunals, Alberta Human Rights Commission.

Interested individuals are encouraged to register by April 30, 2011 to benefit from the early bird registration rate. CASHRA 2011 also offers a special student rate as well as a reduced rate for non-profit organizations. One-day registration is also available. Register now for CASHRA 2011!

For further information about the program, speakers, registration fees, accreditation opportunities, and to register for the conference, visit cashra2011.ca.

Contact
Philippe Rabot, Alberta Human Rights Commission, 780-427-1128

Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission

December 10, 2010

Celebrating International Human Rights Day Across Canada

Toronto – Today, human rights commissions and agencies across Canada are commemorating the 1948 signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Barbara Hall, President of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies and Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, invites all Canadians to participate in local celebrations recognizing this special day, stating that, "Each one of us has benefited from this Declaration. We are all responsible for human rights in our society, and today is a perfect time for us to recognize the gains made, and the areas where there is still work to be done. I challenge all Canadians to get involved in advancing a culture of human rights."

Here are some highlights of what human rights commissions across the country are doing to mark this special day.

Northwest Territories
Placing ads in English and French Northern newspapers, airing public service announcements on CBC North radio, and the Chairperson is delivering a human rights presentation in Fort Smith.
Yukon
Engaging and working with media to raise awareness of the importance of December 10th.
Nunavut
Distributing calendars and fridge magnets to celebrate the day and increase awareness.
Prince Edward Island
Presenting its 2010 Award for the Advancement of Human Rights to the PEI Council of People with Disabilities for outstanding work on behalf of Islanders with disabilities. The award recognizes Island individuals or groups who have made an important contribution to promoting values enshrined in its Human Rights Act.
New Brunswick
Celebrating the 62nd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the significant contribution of main author, John Peters Humphrey, from New Brunswick, towards adopting this milestone declaration. The Commission is also introducing a five-year strategic plan (2010-2015) to address evolving human rights issues and promote human rights protections throughout society.
Nova Scotia
Celebrating International Human Rights Day for the first time in the community of North Preston, with a full day program featuring musical entertainment and the presentation of annual human rights awards
Newfoundland and Labrador
Launching a new website on Tuesday, December 14th – www.justice/gov.nl.ca/hrc
Quebec
Presenting the 2010 Rights and Freedoms Prize to Montreal-based Tolerance Foundation for its work using cartoon strips, games, videos and interactive theatre performances to help youth understand the role they have in fighting discrimination, exclusion and intimidation. The Commission is also awarding a special mention to the Val d’Or Native Friendship Centre for its work towards improving quality of life of Aboriginal persons living in an urban setting, and building bridges between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal persons in Val d’Or.
Ottawa – Canadian Human Rights Commission
Marking this day with the theme, "Speak Up, Stop Discrimination", the Commission issued a statement and has released Framework for Documenting Equality Rights, which provides a conceptual framework to look at social and economic well-being from a human rights perspective. http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/media_room/message_cc/hrd_10122010_jdh-eng.aspx
Ontario
Launching a new e-learning package that provides online learning and training for people who need information on human rights issues that come up in rental housing. The new tool helps users from across the province access human rights learning anywhere, any time at the click of a button. Live webcast on Friday, December 10th from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at: http://windows.stream.yorku.ca:80/itc/2010/OHRCwebcast . Also available on the Commission’s website: http://www.ohrc.on.ca and click on the e-learning button.
Manitoba
Honouring recipients of this year’s Human Rights Commitment Award for advancing human rights, with the Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties and the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
Saskatchewan
Holding a letter writing campaign to save lives with Amnesty International Regina Chapter, and discussions regarding federal government monies allocated to resolve the issue of missing indigenous women in Canada with Iskwewuk E-Wichiwitochik (Women Talking Together), Amnesty International Chapter 33 Saskatoon and the Public Service Alliance of Canada. It is also asking Saskatchewan’s Justice Minister to declare December 10, 2010, International Human Rights Day.
Alberta
Introducing new page on ministry website celebrating December 10th : http://culture.alberta.ca/humanrights/dates/int-humanrights-day.aspx, and working towards having the UN "Speak out, Stop Discrimination" banner (featured on the new webpage) put on the revolving banner section of the Government of Albert homepage at Alberta.ca.

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For further information:
Afroze Edwards Senior Communications Officer
Communications and Issues Management
416-314-4528
Afroze.edwards@ohrc.on.ca

December 10, 2010

Alberta Human Rights Commission to host national human rights conference

The Alberta Human Rights Commission is hosting the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA), June 13 to 15, 2011, in Calgary, Alberta. CASHRA is the national association of Canada’s statutory agencies charged with administering federal, provincial and territorial human rights legislation.

The conference theme is Human Rights in Canada: New Realities, New Directions. Conference sessions will focus on new realities related to human rights, diversity and inclusion, and new directions in building discrimination-free, welcoming and inclusive communities and workplaces.

"Our conference goal is to provide a strong learning experience that focuses on sharing knowledge and expertise across jurisdictions and sectors," said D. Blair Mason, Chief of the Alberta Human Rights Commission. "It will help equip participants with the knowledge and tools to move forward to build communities and workplaces that foster equality."

The conference is expected to attract as many as 250 participants from across Canada, including employees and members of human rights communities as well as lawyers in the human rights field. Individuals and organizations representing a wide variety of communities, including cultural groups, the Aboriginal community, persons with disabilities and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community are also encouraged to attend the conference.

The conference website launches today - December 10 - to coincide with International Human Rights Day. Conference registration is scheduled to be available in mid-January. For more information visit: www.cashra2011.ca

Contact
Philippe Rabot, Alberta Human Rights Commission, 780-427-1128