Alberta Human Rights Information Service September 26, 2007
In this issue:
Human rights and diversity news from Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture
Other human rights and diversity news:
Alberta news
Canadian news
International news
- The Commission has recently updated its website with the following panel decisions:
Michael David Berridge v. City of Calgary (September 5, 2007; Beth Bryant, Panel Chair)
Marilyn Small v. Caritas Health Group (September 5, 2007; Brenda Scragg, Panel Chair)
Shane Coward v. Tower Chrysler Plymouth Ltd. (August 21, 2007; Diane Colley-Urquhart, Panel Chair)
Nico van der Smit v. Alberta Milk (August 15, 2007; Delano W. Tolley, CD, Panel Chair)
- Human rights in the workplace customized educational workshops:
The Commission offers human rights in the workplace customized educational workshops to businesses and organizations. The workshops can be tailored to suit individual needs and schedules. Learn more about the workshops and download a presentation request form.
- Workplace alcohol and drug testing forum:
The Commission's Senior Legal Counsel, Audrey Dean, presented The Human Rights Perspective at an Insight conference, The Critical State of Workplace Alcohol and Drug Testing Forum: A Comprehensive Update for Union and Non-Union Employers, held on September 24, 2007 in Calgary. The forum was co-chaired by Barb Butler, nationally recognized workplace alcohol and drug testing expert and Michael Ford, McCarthy Tétrault LLP.
- Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination continues to expand:
As of September 2007 a total of 17 municipalities have joined the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination. Lethbridge has also recently announced their intention to join the Coalition.
The Commission has published a new information brochure that explains why the Coalition is needed, and how municipalities, individuals and organizations can become involved.
In August 2007, GlobalFest in Calgary presented the GlobalFest Human Rights Forum, a series of noon hour forums with guest speakers addressing topics inspired by the City of Calgary joining CMARD. The forum was entitled Calgary's Commitment to Ending Racism and Discrimination: Building Inclusive Communities and Cross-Cultural Respect. The Commission attended the forum, displaying resource materials, and the Director of Education presented closing remarks at the session on Monitoring and Policing Racism and Discrimination. Stephen Lewis, the former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, was one of the keynote speakers. Videos of the scheduled events can be viewed.
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Seeking nominations for the Diversity Leadership Award of Distinction:
Nominations are now open for the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission Diversity Leadership Award of Distinction. The Diversity Leadership Award is presented to an organization that embraces diversity in its workforce, encourages respect and inclusion, eliminates discrimination and barriers and helps create welcoming and inclusive workplaces and communities.
The Diversity Leadership Award is one of the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction. Organizations in all sectors, including businesses, community organizations and public institutions, are eligible to apply. The deadline for nominations is November 16. Applications are submitted online.
PLEASE NOTE: In the following sections of the newsletter, we publish news and information provided by other organizations. We also link to other websites related to human rights and diversity. The Commission provides this information as a service and 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.
Human rights and diversity news from Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture
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Significant days:
September 21 was the International Day of Peace: On September 21 of each year, the United Nations asks warring parties around the world to observe one day of cease-fire. Read more about ideas, resources and events that took place to recognize the day.
October is Women's History Month: Celebrating Immigrant Women in Canada: This year's theme for Women's History Month provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate immigrant women's achievements and contributions to Canadian society.
The Alberta Women's Memory Project is an online resource hosted by Athabasca University. The resource provides users with an inventory of all material related to women held in archives in Alberta, direct links to resources on women's history, and other relevant information on women's history in Alberta.
October 18 is Persons Day: Persons Day commemorates the 1929 landmark decision when women were declared "persons" under the law. Five Alberta women, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, and Henrietta Edwards, led this victory and distinctively became known as the "Famous Five." Provincially, Alberta recognizes Persons Day through the Persons Case scholarships, available for students who choose studies that contribute to the advancement of women, or for students who are pursuing careers in fields where members of their gender are under-represented. The deadline for application for the Persons Case Scholarship is September 30. Applications are available online.
November is Family Violence Prevention Month: END the Silence STOP the Violence, the 2007 theme, reminds Albertans that everyone plays a role in supporting those who are living with family violence. Alberta Children's Services provides a toll-free province-wide 24-hour Family Violence Information Line at 310-1818. This information line is intended to offer further support to reach out to individuals and families who may be impacted by family violence. E-tools are available to assist community groups in planning family violence prevention events.
November 25 is the International Day to End Violence Against Women: From Unifem's website: "We must work to create an environment where violence against women is not tolerated." Check this website closer to the date to read more about the day and events.
November 25 - December 10: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence: People around the world wear white ribbons from November 25 to December 10 to symbolize a pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. Read more and closer to the date download a TakeAction Kit.
December 6 is National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women: The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women marks the anniversary of the tragic events that took place at l'Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989. Check Status of Women Canada's website closer to the date to read more.
See the list of significant days on the Help Make a Difference website.
- The Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund:
The Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund Advisory Committee is recruiting community members:
Appointed by the Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture, the HRCM Education Fund Advisory Committee provides recommendations to the Minister on the use of the HRCM Education Fund. The HRCM Education Fund provides financial resources for programs and services that promote respect for diversity and equality, prevent discrimination and racism and build welcoming communities and workplaces. Advisory Committee meetings are held up to four times per year, in June and November and at the call of the Chair, in various locations in the province. This is a voluntary position with honoraria provided for participation in these meetings. Travel expenses for committee meetings are paid at normal government rates. Members serve an initial three year term. Applications close at the end of October. For further information contact Wendy Livingstone at 403-297-3290 or wendy.livingstone@gov.ab.ca.Grant application deadline:
The next deadline for grant applications for the HRCM Education Fund is October 1, 2006.
Read about projects that the HRCM Education Fund has funded.
Other human rights and diversity news
- Hiring foreign workers brochure:
The Economic Immigration Branch of Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry has posted a brochure entitled Hiring Foreign Workers in Alberta. This brochure, intended for Alberta employers, offers information and resources related to recruiting and hiring foreign workers.
- First-ever national pilot program to combat hate-motivated crime:
On July 5, 2007, the Canadian government announced 3 million dollars for Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Pilot Program, to support communities targeted by hate-motivated crime. Not-for-profit organizations clearly linked to a community with a history of being victimized by hate-motivated crime may be eligible to apply for funding to cover specific costs of minor security infrastructure. Read the news release.
- New publications on ethnic communities in Canada:
Statistics Canada released four publications highlighting various ethnic communities in Canada:
- Profiles of Ethnic Communities in Canada: The West Asian Community in Canada, 2001. no. 3
- Profiles of Ethnic Communities in Canada: The East Indian Community in Canada, 2001. no. 4
- Profiles of Ethnic Communities in Canada: The Filipino Community in Canada, 2001. no. 5
- Profiles of Ethnic Communities in Canada: The South Asian Community in Canada, 2001, no. 6
- Profiles of Ethnic Communities in Canada: The West Asian Community in Canada, 2001. no. 3
- National Mental Health Commission:
The Mental Health Commission of Canada is set to launch and is expected to be headquartered in Calgary. The Commission will lead a national campaign to erase the stigma of mental illness, promote the development of a national strategy and create a Knowledge Exchange Centre. Read more about the key initiatives.
- Environmental sensitivities publications:
The Canadian Human Rights Commission recently released the following publications:
- Call for nominations for anti-racism best practices award:
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is seeking nominations for their annual Award of Excellence Best Practices initiative. The deadline for nominations is January 14, 2008. Applications are available online. All winners will take part in a national learning symposium entitled What is Canadian Racism? Engaging a Critical Analysis of Racism and How to Tackle It, to take place in Calgary on April 23-25, 2008.
- 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
December 10, 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On December 10, 1948, the UDHR was signed by member nations of the United Nations in New York.
To commemorate this important event, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released its first issue of Info60, an online newsletter offering information to inspire people everywhere to mark the anniversary in their own way. Visit this website for further updates.
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