Making human rights a reality. This is the job of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. It means many things. It means helping resolve individual complaints of discrimination. It means bringing about broader changes in Canadian society. And it means teaching Canadians that respecting human rights makes our society better for us all. All of these elements are part of building a human rights culture.

Canada is often praised for its human rights record; and some would say that we have already won the major battles. But much as one wishes this to be true, there are still significant issues to be addressed. And as we operate increasingly in a global human rights network, we become more aware that Canada's performance is closely watched around the world.

By signing the majority of international human rights instruments on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, Canada has committed itself to principles that the international community has agreed are fundamental to human rights. And it has shown its commitment in its domestic policies, practices and laws. But many would say that our commitment extends to civil and political rights only; that we cannot make the same claim for economic, social and cultural rights.

There is growing awareness in Canada that to make human rights a reality we must focus more on the rights expressed in these instruments. Most recently, a parliamentary working group, led by Senator Lois Wilson, has been highlighting the relevance of international instruments to Canada. This movement is timely and will help enhance our understanding.

It is clear, too, that the Commission's own work relates closely to our international human rights obligations. The Commission's work on pay equity is a case in point: it can be traced directly to international instruments. The Commission's human rights protection and promotion roles are also derived from these obligations. The Commission believes that the Canadian Human Rights Act should make this clearer, that a more explicit link in the Act would demonstrate to all that our domestic human rights law embodies the international principles Canada is committed to respecting.

This report's first chapter, "Health of Human Rights in Canada," discusses significant Canadian human rights developments in 2000. By assessing the actions of our government, the decisions of our courts and tribunals, and other important events, the chapter measures how Canada has fared in making human rights a reality. In the chapters "Human Rights Protection" and "Human Rights Promotion," the report describes the Commission's work over the twelve months under review.

This Annual Report is one of two reports the Commission has submitted to Parliament. Its companion volume, Employment Equity Report, fulfills the Commission's legislative requirement to report annually on its work under the Employment Equity Act. The latter report describes the audit process which the Commission is required to carry out, and the progress made by employers in complying with the Act. The Commission also issues a Legal Report that provides information on key court and tribunal decisions in 2000.

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