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Chapter 2: Human Rights Law

Additional Recommended Readings

Benoit, C., Jansson, M., Jansenberger, M., & Phillips, R. (2013). Disability stigmatization as a barrier to employment equity for legally-blind Canadians. Disability & Society, 28(7), 970–983. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09687599.2012.741518#.Vgvh0uxViko.

Findings in this mixed methods study show that labour-force participation in legally blind Canadians is very low compared both with those without disabilities and with those having other disabilities. The primary barrier identified by participants was stigma.

Taylor, C., & Peter, T. (2011). “We Are Not Aliens, We’re People, and We Have Rights.” Canadian Human Rights Discourse and High School Climate for LGBTQ Students. Canadian Review of Sociology, 48(3), 275–312. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22214043.

A national survey study in Canadian high schools revealed that sexual minority students felt neither safe nor respected. The authors opine that ongoing exposure to this situation undermines students’ respect for the Charter of Rights and their faith in adults.

Tang, K. (2003). Internationalizing anti-racism efforts: What social workers can do. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work: Innovation in Theory, Research & Practice, 12(3), 55–71. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J051v12n03_03#.VgviiOxViko.

Tang has written several articles regarding Canadian perspectives on race discrimination and international human rights conventions. This article provides an overview of the United Nations Convention and argues that international law and police provide an opportunity for social workers to assist their clientele to combat racial discrimination.

Relevant Legislation

International: www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/InternationalLaw.aspx

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights, G.A. res. 217A (III), un Doc A/810 at 71 (1948). http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Pages/Language.aspx?LangID=eng
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, G.A. res. 2200A (XXI), 21 ungaor Supp. (No. 16) at 52, un Doc. A/6316 (1966), 999 U.N.T.S. 171, entered into force 23 March 1976. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CESCR.aspx
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, G.A. res. 2200A (XXI), 21 ungaor Supp. (No. 16) at 52, un Doc. A/6316 (1966), 999 U.N.T.S. 171, entered into force 23 March 1976. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CCPR.aspx
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, G.A. res. 34/180, 34 ungaor Supp. (No. 46) at 193, un Doc. A/34/46, entered into force 3 September 1981. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CEDAW.aspx
• Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, G.A. res. 39/46, [annex, 39 ungaor Supp. (No. 51) at 197, un Doc. A/39/51 (1984)], entered into force 26 June 1987. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CAT.aspx
• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, G.A. res. 2106 (XX), Annex, 20 un gaor Supp. (No. 14) at 47, un Doc. A/6014 (1966), 660 U.N.T.S. 195, entered into force 4 January 1969. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CERD.aspx
• Convention on the Rights of the Child, G.A. res. 44/25, annex, 44 UN GAOR Supp. (No. 49) at 167, UNDoc. A/44/49 (1989), entered into force 2 September 1990. http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx

Federal and Constitutional: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en

• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Part 1 of the Constitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B to the Canada Act (UK), c. C-12 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-15.html
• Canadian Human Rights Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.H-6 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/h-6/
• Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/
• Criminal Records Act, R.S.C 1985, c. C-47 http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-47/

Alberta: www.qp.alberta.ca/laws_online.cfm

• Alberta Human Rights Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. A-25.5 http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=A25P5.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779785940

British Columbia: www.bclaws.ca

• Human Rights Code, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 210 http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96210_01

Manitoba: web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/index.php

• The Human Rights Code, C.C.S.M. c. H-175 http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/h175e.php

New Brunswick: www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/attorney_general/acts_regulations.html

• Human Rights Act, R.S.N.B. 2011, c. 171 http://laws.gnb.ca/en/showdoc/cs/2011-c.171

Newfoundland and Labrador: www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation

• Human Rights Act, 2010, SNL 2010, c. H-13.1 http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/h13-1.htm

Nova Scotia: nslegislature.ca/legc/

• Human Rights Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 214, amended 1991, c. 12

Ontario: www.e-laws.gov.on.ca

• Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19 http://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h19

Prince Edward Island: www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutesa

• Human Rights Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. H-12 http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/h-12.pdf

Quebec: www3.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/loisreglements.en.html

• Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, R.S.Q., c. C-12 http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/C_12/C12_A.htm

Saskatchewan: www.qp.gov.sk.ca

• The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, S.S. 1979, c. S-24.1, as am. by S.S. 1980–81, c. 41 and 81; S.S. 1989–90, c.23; S.S. 1989–90, 1993, c.55 and 61; and S.S. 2000 c. 26 http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/S24-1.pdf

Northwest Territories: www.justice.gov.nt.ca/legislation/search

• Human Rights Act, S.N.W.T. 2002, c. 18 https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/files/legislation/human-rights/human-rights.a.pdf

Nunavut: www.justice.gov.nu.ca

• Human Rights Act, 2002, Bill 12 http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=CURRENT+CONSOLIDATIONS+OF+ACTS+AND+REGULATIONS&letter=H

Yukon Territory: www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/

• Human Rights Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 116 http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/huri_c.pdf

Discussion Questions

1. What are the different types of discriminatory actions? Provide an example of each.
2. What are the general areas where discrimination is prohibited?
3. What is one prohibited ground of discrimination that you think is controversial? Discuss the arguments for and against the prohibited ground that you have chosen.
4. Is there a ground of discrimination you feel should be prohibited that is not? Explain.
5. A client has just disclosed to you a situation with his employer where his human rights have been violated. Where do you direct your client for help? What do you tell your client about the process for enforcing his rights?