Letters and messages from the chief commissioner: May 25, 1999
Chief commissioner Charlach Mackintosh writes to the Calgary Herald about the human rights "challenges that lie ahead."
The letter was published in the Calgary Herald on Tuesday, May 25, 1999
In the wake of numerous controversial Charter decisions by the courts, Alberta Human Rights Chief Commissioner Charlach Mackintosh looks at the advances society has made in the fight against discrimination, and at the challenges that lie ahead.
There is no better indicator of the respect a society holds for human rights than the value it places on the worth of every individual. In Canada the judiciary are responsible for interpreting and enforcing the country's constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Operating within the social justice system are the federal and provincial statutory human rights agencies, who attend to the expectation that it is the natural right of every citizen to be protected from most forms of prejudice and discrimination.
The standard of human rights protection Canadians now enjoy has only recently been won. Fifty years ago, Canada played a lead role in the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The architects of that declaration demonstrated that a few dedicated men and women could establish a code of human conduct that was based on goodwill and respect for others and that reflected the desire of societies to protect human rights. Today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has become the clearest measure of our successes and our failures as a democratic society.
As Canada enters the 21st century its support of human rights will face many challenges. The new knowledge-based economies and an increasing trend toward globalization are blurring borders and irrevocably shifting the demographic nature of society.
Every day, some new application of a scientific principle generates new products or services and a new way of viewing the world. Whether we shop with an electronic bank card, listen to a compact disk, talk on a cellular telephone or surf the Internet, the new technologies are now ubiquitous, and what was science fiction a few years ago, is now commonplace and normal.
When we cast our eyes to the future we are confronted with a host of domestic and international human rights issues clamoring for attention. Although many fall outside the jurisdiction of provincial commissions, such as involuntary female genital mutilation, sectarian violence, torture, and ethnic cleansing, Canadians can try to bring about change by making their views on these atrocities known.
For instance, Canada as a major supplier and user of global market goods and services does business with some regimes that routinely violate individual rights in favour of economic priorities. But if enough Canadians let their political and industry leaders know that they find such practices abhorrent, ultimately this will break the cycle of impunity.
In Canada, although the plight of our native people remains the No. 1 human rights issue, there are a number of other unresolved concerns.For instance: What ought to be done about media entertainment that is based on a formula of sex and violence engendering bigotry and fear, or fanatics operating Internet sites or raving columnists who spew their venom and contempt on minorities?
What limits should be placed on these people's freedom of speech - recognizing that it is the lifeblood of our democratic society? Should human rights legislation in Canada be extended as some would have it, to include the social and economic rights of unemployed people who suffer for lack of food, clothing and shelter? Or should this be left to government-designed social safety nets?
Diversity is an ever-increasing reality in Canada and with that in mind, what should be done to help employment equity programs achieve proportional representation, or in the area of pay equity schemes that compare jobs of equal value?
There is a growing understanding among people with disabilities that they have a right to have fair and reasonable accommodation in the workplace. Consequently, human rights complaints in this area are increasing. What is fair and reasonable accommodation? How much do employers have to do before it is considered undue hardship? What are the advantages to employers to making fair and reasonable accommodation?
In the wake of the Supreme Court of Canada decision on the Delwin Vriend case, many topics related to sexual orientation must be addressed such as: school book content, civic gay pride day proclamations, adoptions, benefits, marriage, and dress codes.
A looming issue under political debate in Quebec and Ontario is the political debate that secular schools be publicly funded, and not religious-based schools.
The number and complexity of complaints reaching the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission continues to rise and is putting enormous stress on the resources available to handle them all on an expeditious manner.
The reality is that people in general are much better-informed than they used to be and are much more inclined to file complaints when they think their rights have been violated.
Human rights practitioners, advocates and activists will be pleased to hear that Alberta is sponsoring a national human rights conference on education to be held at the Banff Management Centre in May 2000.
The education theme was chosen as this is the cornerstone of human rights and the most effective way of combating discrimination and racism. This meeting should serve as a good follow-up to the Canadian Human Rights Foundation's immensely successful conference held in Edmonton November 1998.
As has been noted elsewhere, economic growth and investment are fuelled by a stable society and a secure work force. Over the past 25 years, human rights protection has played a significant part in making Alberta a better place to live. Though there is still much to do, Albertans can be proud that the province takes a back seat to no one in protecting the basic rights of all its citizens.
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