Did you know? archives 2008-2009

December 10, 2009

October 23, 2009

  • Alberta's human rights legislation was amended effective October 1, 2009. Alberta's human rights legislation is now named Alberta Human Rights Act.

  • Sexual orientation is now written in as a protected ground under the Alberta Human Rights Act. Between April 2, 1998 and October 1, 2009, sexual orientation had been "read in" as a protected ground under Alberta's human rights legislation.

  • The definition of marital status has changed. The definition is now "the state of being married, single, widowed, divorced, separated or living with a person in a conjugal relationship outside marriage." Previously, the word "state" was "status" and the word "person" was followed by "of the opposite sex."

For more information, see:

The Commission is in the process of updating its website and publications to reflect the amendments.

September 8, 2009 

  • International Literacy Day, established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is celebrated on September 8. This year's focus for International Literacy Day is the empowering role of literacy and its importance for participation, citizenship and development. Governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, communities and individuals are encouraged to play an active role in improving the literacy skills of Albertans. Visit the UNESCO website for more information about International Literacy Day.

  • Three new posters were created in support of International Literacy Day. The Learning is a Human Right posters promote learning as central to building strong and vibrant communities that value human rights, diversity and inclusion. You can view the posters and order copies online. Read more.

  • The Commission has a popular plain-language publication titled Human Rights in Alberta targeted at Albertans improving their English reading skills. It provides Albertans with easy-to-understand information about Alberta's human rights legislation and about the services offered by the Commission. Read more and link to the publication, audio version and teaching notes.

June 19, 2009

  • June 27 is Canadian Multiculturalism Day, when Canadians have an opportunity to celebrate the country's rich cultural diversity and recognize the role that we all play in helping to build vibrant and prosperous communities that benefit everyone. Multiculturalism Day is also an opportunity for Albertans to reflect on their individual roles in helping to ensure that communities are welcoming and inclusive for all. Learn more about the Government of Alberta programs and services that support diversity and human rights in the province. Read the Government of Alberta information bulletin about Canadian Multiculturalism Day.

  • There are many dates significant to human rights and diversity that are recognized by the United Nations, the Government of Canada or the Government of Alberta. These significant dates relate to themes that include intercultural relations, abilities and disabilities, and gender. Read the list of significant days on the Help Make a Difference website.
  • Suggestions for building welcoming and inclusive communities are offered in the tip sheet 34 ways to build stronger, better relationships between people of all backgrounds. This tip sheet is part of the Help Make a Difference website. Help Make a Difference is a partnership initiative to build awareness of the importance of inclusion and diversity. Read more about the partnership.

April 17, 2009

  • The Commission offers customized workshops on human rights for various groups, including employers, employees, union representatives, and human resource specialists. Read more about the customized workshops and access the registration form online or contact the Commission's Education and Community Services Unit for further information. 

  • It makes good business sense for employers to build a human rights culture at their workplace.  Read more about the benefits of ensuring work environments are free of discrimination based on the protected grounds in the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act.

  • The Commission offers organizations a policy review service. Organizations can contact the Commission if they would like a review of their human rights, harassment, respectful workplace and ethical practices policies to ensure that they are in compliance with Alberta's human rights legislation. Contact the Commission's Education and Community Services Unit for more information.


January 14, 2009

  • The Commission publishes interpretive bulletins, information sheets and booklets related to human rights law. Interpretive bulletins offer a comprehensive discussion of important human rights topics. They cite case law, provide descriptions of legal principles drawn from the case law, and offer practical information. The information sheets cover a range of important human rights issues, providing a brief overview of the topic and in some instances citing case law.

  • The Commission website now offers a quick link to our complete collection of FAQs that cover a variety of topics related to human rights. This quick link, available on the home page, serves as a fast and easy way to search for an answer to a human rights question.

  • A human rights complaint becomes public only if and when it reaches the panel hearing stage. A hearing before a human rights panel is open to the public unless, on the application of any party, the human rights panel decides that it would be advisable to hold the meeting in private. Read the FAQs about panel hearings. Human rights panel decisions are published in the Decisions section of the Commission's website.

November 25, 2008

  • Employers and employees in the entertainment and hospitality industries have a responsibility to make their establishments discrimination-free. You can learn more about human rights in the entertainment and hospitality industries. Be sure to check out the interpretive bulletin Human rights in the hospitality industry and the FAQs.

  • The Commission's logo consists of a stylized "hr," which stands for human rights. The "hr" can be seen as a figure, representing the focus of human rights on humanity. The figure is holding a vertical staff or rod, representing a rod or staff of justice or equality.

  • On December 10, 2008, celebrations will be held throughout the world to mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Read more and check out online resources to commemorate the anniversary on the United Nations Human Rights website. 

November 5, 2008

Revised: November 2, 2011

 

Due to confidentiality concerns, the Commission cannot reply
to complaints of discrimination using the Internet.

Please contact the Commission by telephone or regular mail
if you have a specific complaint.

The Commission will make publications available in accessible multiple formats upon request. Multiple formats provide access for people with disabilities who do not read conventional print.