Alberta Human Rights Information Service May 5, 2005
Today is Yom ha-Shoah,
Holocaust Memorial Day
In this issue:
Alberta Community Development human rights and diversity news
Other human rights and diversity news:
Alberta news
Other Canadian news
International news
Commission News
1. Court of Queen's Bench judicial review clarifies Commission's jurisdiction over human rights complaints in the workplace:
Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 583 v. City of Calgary and the Labour Arbitration Board (March 31, 2005; Alberta Court of Queen's Bench; Hart, J.)
The grievor was terminated from employment and filed a grievance and a human rights complaint. The Labour Arbitration Board held it had exclusive jurisdiction to hear both the grievance and the human rights complaint.
On judicial review the Board's decision was overturned. The Court said the human rights complaint was not properly before the Board and was not pleaded in the grievance. The Court commented on the paramountcy of human rights legislation. The fact that the legislation does not contain a provision allowing the Commission to defer to another tribunal indicates the Commission has jurisdiction over complaints arising in the workplace.
2. The Commission recently updated its website with links to these court and panel decisions:
Collins v. Elizabeth Métis Settlement (March 30, 2005; Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, Lefsrud, J.)
Denise Sawyer v. Alberta Transportation, (February 9, 2005; Beth Bryant, Panel Chair)
George Haineault v. Kzam Farms Ltd. (January 25, 2005; Diane Colley-Urquhart, Panel Chair)
Liviu Popescu v. Schlumberger Canada Ltd. (December 15-16, 2004; Beth Bryant, Panel Chair)
Gary Trick v. Federated Co-operatives Ltd. (December 13-14, 2004; William P. Baergen, Panel Chair)
Tracy Serben v. Kicks Cantina Inc. (October 29, 2004; Diane Colley-Urquhart, Panel Chair)
Diane Bergeron v. Alberta Co-op Taxi Line Ltd. (October 18-21, 2004; Brenda Scragg, Panel Chair)
3. Call for a Canadian Coalition of Cities against Racism: The Commission is a member of a working group of government and non-government organizations to develop and promote a proposal to Call for a Canadian Coalition of Cities Against Racism. Read the news release.
This work in Canada is part of an International Coalition of Cities Against Racism, an inititiave launched by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to establish a network of cities around the world interested in sharing experiences in order to improve their policies to fight racism, discrimination, exclusion and intolerance. For more information, contact Cassie Palamar, Manager of Education and Commission Services, at cassie.palamar@gov.ab.ca.
PLEASE NOTE: In the following sections of the newsletter, we publish news and information provided by other organizations. We also cite other websites related to human rights and diversity. The Commission is not responsible for the content provided by other organizations on their websites or by other means. Please direct comments or inquiries regarding these organizations or their websites to the organization in question.
Alberta Community Development human rights and diversity news
1. Yom ha-Shoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) is observed on May 5 this year. The Government of Alberta has issued a news release, encouraging Albertans to remember the systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewish men, women and children during the Holocaust, as well as millions of others who have perished in acts of genocide. The news release also includes information about community recognition events being held today. Read the news release.
See Alberta's Holocaust Memorial Day and Genocide Remembrance Act. Teachers may be interested in the publication Guidelines for teaching about the Holocaust.
2. Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund: The HRCM Education Fund provides financial assistance to community organizations that are undertaking human rights and diversity initiatives that lead to change. Two projects that have received support from the Fund are highlighted below:
- The Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities (ACCD) has developed lesson plans and materials to help students from kindergarten to grade 12 challenge their own stereotypes and false assumptions about people with disabilities. Getting to Know Us: Raising Disability Awareness in Alberta's Schools is available on the ACCD website. From the publication: "With funding from the Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship, and Multiculturalism Education Fund, we've enhanced our school outreach program through the development of the Getting to Know Us curriculum. It builds on our existing program by providing lesson plans for teachers to implement before and after a visiting speaker comes to their class and by encouraging more disability organizations to become involved in school outreach."
- Diversity Education for Change: A Guide to Planning and Management is a resource for organizations working in the field of diversity education. The guide is a set of eight tools that were tested over two years by 12 community organizations involved in diversity work. It is designed to help groups plan, monitor, evaluate and report on their diversity education projects. The Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund and the Department of Canadian Heritage, Multiculturalism Program - Alberta District, jointly provided funding for this initiative. The literature review undertaken for this initiative is also available.
You can read more about projects that the HRCM Education Fund has funded.
Other human rights and diversity news
1. Human rights issues in the workplace: Several new resources from Alberta Human Resources and Employment highlight human rights issues in the workplace.
See e-CareerShop News for details about these resources:
- A Guide to Rights and Responsibilities in Alberta Workplaces
- Sources and Resources: Workplace rights and responsibilities
- Human Rights and You: What can employers ask?; and
- Sexual Harassment: What you need to know.
2. LGBTQ Safe Spaces Initiative: Safe Spaces is a joint initiative of the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) and the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities (SACSC). The Safe Spaces Initiative comprises a poster, brochure and sticker designed to identify classrooms and schools as safe and inclusive spaces where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified and queer (LGBTQ) students, teachers, friends, families and allies are welcome and supported. All materials are available for free download on the Safe Spaces web page.
3. Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped: Albertans receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) will receive up to $1,000 each month by next April, and have access to additional benefits and higher earning exemptions following government's response to the recommendations of the MLA AISH Review Committee. Read the news release.
1. A Canada for All: Canada's Action Plan on Racism is available on the Canadian Heritage website. From the publication's overview:
"A society free from racism. More than a matter of principle, this is Canada's vision. It brings together people of all backgrounds-ethnic, racial, and religious-to build a society where one's heritage is a source of pride and inspiration. In the October 2004 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada reaffirmed this vision, vowing to: 'take measures to strengthen Canada's ability to combat racism, hate speech and hate crimes, both here at home and around the world.' Through programs, initiatives and legislation, Canada has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to combat racism and racially-based discrimination. A Canada for All: Canada's Action Plan Against Racism is the next step in the Government of Canada's response."
2. Integration and Belonging: The United Nations Association in Canada has launched a new initiative called Integration and Belonging. Its purpose is to identify and build the social capital of Canadian society to encourage cohesion and strengthen our sense of belonging. The initiative is focused on youth and emerging community leaders in five cities across Canada: Calgary, Alberta; Kingston, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and St. John's, Newfoundland.
3. Learning Disabilities on the Job: The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario has developed the publication Learning Disabilities on the Job to break down employment barriers for persons with learning disabilities. Learn about the nature of this disorder and about affordable accommodations that can enhance performance on the job.
1. The revised draft plan of action for the first phase (2005-2007) of the World Programme for Human Rights Education is available in the six United Nations languages. From the introduction: "The World Conference on Human Rights considers human rights education, training and public information essential for the promotion and achievement of stable and harmonious relations among communities and for fostering mutual understanding, tolerance and peace (Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, Part II.D, para. 78)."
2. Communicating with youth about social issues: Streetwize Communications is an Australian non-profit organization that specializes in researching and communicating social issues to youth and other hard-to-reach groups. The recent comic on refugees, The Other Side, has become its fastest-moving publication ever. The comic has also been used as a catalyst for an anti-racism workshop developed by eight rural schools in New South Wales.
3. Sweden's prostitution solution: An American women's group called Women's Justice Centre reports on Sweden's prostitution solution: "In 1999, after years of research and study, Sweden passed legislation that a) criminalizes the buying of sex, and b) decriminalizes the selling of sex. The novel rationale behind this legislation is clearly stated in the government's literature on the law: 'In Sweden prostitution is regarded as an aspect of male violence against women and children. It is officially acknowledged as a form of exploitation of women and children and constitutes a significant social problem . . . gender equality will remain unattainable so long as men buy, sell and exploit women and children by prostituting them.'" Visit the Women's Justice Centre website to read more. Also see The End of Prostitution in Sweden? on http://www.sweden.se/.
Subscribe to Alberta Human Rights Information Service
Back issues of Alberta Human Rights Information Service
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.
