Advancing Human Rights and Freedoms
Highlights for 2006
Dispute Resolution
: The Dispute Resolution Branch continues to develop less formal approaches to resolving disputes. Forty percent of those who agreed to try to resolve their disputes without filing a complaint were able to reach a settlement in this way.
The Commission continued to focus its litigation activities on matters having the greatest human rights impact. Important cases in which the Commission participated before Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearings dealt with issues ranging from the accessibility of public infrastructure for persons with disabilities to the discriminatory impact of over-qualification on highly trained visible minority immigrants when they apply for jobs. The Commission also intervened before the Supreme Court of Canada in cases dealing with the interplay between security and human rights, the accessibility of VIA Rail's new rail cars and the application of the Canadian Human Rights Act by administrative tribunals dealing with human rights issues.
Combatting Hate on the Internet
: Since 2002, the Commission has dealt with 55 allegations of hate messages on the Internet. In 2006, the Commission participated in all hearings before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal dealing with complaints of this nature. In addition, it published the proceedings of its December 2005 conference of experts and government officials on how civil society, governments and the Commission can network and coordinate efforts to combat hate on the Internet.
Preventing Discrimination
: The Commission signed several agreements with major employers, all aimed at preventing discrimination in the workplace. In total, these agreements affect 34,000 employees. In addition, the Commission established an Employer Advisory Council to provide a forum for raising, discussing and acting on issues related to preventing discrimination in workplaces and service centres across the country. The Commission also hosted a Discrimination Prevention Forum, focusing on accommodation issues affecting persons with disabilities.
Employment Equity
: The Commission is streamlining its employment equity audit process for greater efficiency and effectiveness. It is also preparing for the five-year review being conducted by a Parliamentary Committee into the effectiveness of the
Employment Equity Act.
Promoting Human Rights
: Internationally, the Commission participated in meetings of the Ad Hoc Committee established to negotiate the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted by the Plenary of the United Nations General Assembly in December 2006. The Commission also released an important new publication on how to ensure that built environments are accessible to everyone. The report, entitled
International Best Practices in Universal Design: A Global Review, garnered worldwide attention, and was presented at various international fora on disability.
Aboriginal Peoples
: Throughout 2006, the Commission continued to engage in dialogue with First Nations leaders and government officials to encourage implementation of the Commission’s recommendations regarding the repeal of section 67 of the
Canadian Human Rights Act. Section 67 denies First Nations people access to the same human rights complaint redress system available to other people in Canada. The Government of Canada introduced legislation to repeal section 67 in December 2006.
In the fall of 2006, the Commission established a National Aboriginal Program aimed at strengthening relationships with Aboriginal groups and looking at how to incorporate the unique context of First Nations communities in human rights protection mechanisms. The Program will help the Commission respond more effectively to complaints that may arise as a result of the repeal of section 67.
Research on Emerging Human Rights Issues
: During 2006, the Commission produced several reports delving into emerging issues, such as the field of national security and human rights, issues involved when employees return to work after an extended leave, and an examination of environmental sensitivities as they relate to human rights.