Alberta Human Rights Information Service December 10, 2002

COMMISSION NEWS 

News release: Human Rights Panel Releases a Decision on Health Care Premiums for Same Sex Couples (December 5, 2002) 

In a December 9th news release, the Minister of Community Development urges Albertans to follow the lead of the many community agencies and individuals working in our province to champion human rights all year round. 

Read the most recent human rights panel decisions on the Commission's web site: 

Nancy Anderson, Harris Kirshenbaum, Glen Wicks, Cameron Gertz, Howard Knox, Carrie Neilson, Margaret Sharon Maher, Verna Ann Michele Gill, Mark Pesek, Keith Purdy, Jane Ellenor, Kathy Phelps, Pennilynn Leggett v. Alberta Health and Wellness (December 4, 2002) 

Rhonda Lynn Russell Chase v. Tony Condic (November 27, 2002)

Human Rights Day: December 10th

Commissioners have developed a Code of Conduct for Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commissioners. The code will help Albertans understand the standard of conduct adhered to by commissioners chairing or serving on human rights panels.

Two educational videos produced by the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission can now be viewed on the Commission's Web site. Discrimination and the Law and Understanding Gender Discrimination will assist you in learning about discrimination and the law protecting Albertans through real-life cases. Just follow the links below to view video vignettes and accompanying users guide or purchase the video kits for your own use. 

The Commission's Annual Review 2001 is now available. The review covers the period April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002 and outlines the Commission's activities and results in the information and education area and in resolving and settling human rights complaints. Information on the achievements of human rights panels in adjudicating complaints and summaries of panel decisions issued in this period are also provided. 

The Commission is offering workshops related to human rights in the workplace. Participants will learn about the law governing human rights in Alberta, how to prevent and resolve complaints of discrimination, and how to build inclusive workplaces. For more information about the workshops, see the Human Rights in the Workplace brochure. Workshops can be customized for specific groups on request. For more information, contact Nicholas Ameyaw or by phone at (780) 427-4001 in Edmonton. To call toll-free from outside Edmonton, first dial 310-0000.

OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY NEWS 

PLEASE NOTE: In this section of the newsletter, we publish news and information provided by other organizations. The Commission is not responsible for the content on their Web sites or for information they provide by other means. Comments or inquiries regarding these organizations or their Web sites should be directed to the organization in question.

News release: A call to Albertans to remember victims of violence. December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women Established in 1991 by a parliamentary consensus to recognize and denounce violence against women in our society, this day coincides with the anniversary of the 1989 Montréal Massacre when fourteen young women were tragically killed at l'École Polytechnique because of their gender. 

Thirteen years after the tragic deaths in Montreal, violence against women in Canada continues to be a significant and persistent social and economic problem. This key finding is contained in a major report called Assessing Violence Against Women: A Statistical Profile, which was released by Federal/Provincial/Territorial Status of Women Ministers this week. This report provides preliminary indicators on violence against women. It is intended for government, community groups, academics and those involved in the policy process. 

The White Ribbon Campaign to End Violence Against Women released results of a national Environics poll on November 25 2002, showing that the majority of Canadian men think more should be done by both governments and Canadian men to stop violence against women. 

On December 3rd the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities released the Alberta Disability Strategy (ADS), a major framework document that it hopes will enable persons with disabilities to participate more fully in all aspects of Alberta society. The Alberta Disability Strategy is available on-line by going to the Premier's Council Web site at http://www.premierscouncil.ab.ca/ Albertans can also request copies by contacting the Premier's Council's office in Edmonton at 422-1095 (Voice or TTY/TTD) or toll free at 1-800-272-8841. Large print and audiocassette versions are available. 

December 3 was International Day of Disabled Persons First declared in 1992, this day reminds people of the special concerns, rights and needs of disabled persons. December 3 is also the anniversary of the adoption of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons in 1982. 

The Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund's Annual Review 2001 - 2002 is now available. The review provides details of the grants and funding assistance provided in the period April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002

 

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.