The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter) provides protection from discrimination in s 15(1). Section 15(2) allows governments to establish programs to ameliorate historical disadvantage of particular minority groups. These programs are sometimes referred to as “affirmative action programs”. While s 15(2) has been in force since 1985, it has only recently achieved a […]
About Linda McKay-Panos
Linda McKay-Panos, BEd. JD, LLM is the Executive Director of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre in Calgary, Alberta.
Ameliorative Programs Gaining Recognition in Human Rights Legislation
July 4, 2018 By Linda McKay-Panos
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in the Workplace: Is this Something New?
May 4, 2018 By Linda McKay-Panos
There has been a great deal of attention in the media lately about allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the workplace. The current “#MeToo Movement” was thought to have started after public accusations of sexual misconduct by former American film producer Harvey Weinstein. The hashtag #MeToo actually developed from the term “Me Too” […]
Human Rights Law and Employment: Does Context Trump Relationship?
March 6, 2018 By Linda McKay-Panos
Human rights legislation across Canada has similarities and differences. Most legislation covers discrimination in specific contexts (such as services customarily available to the public) and membership in professional associations or trade unions, or relationships (such as employment or landlord and tenant). Many also cover statements made in public. People are often protected from discrimination on […]
Charter of Rights and Homeless Persons
March 6, 2018 By Linda McKay-Panos
Many Canadians are living in poverty, and people from certain groups are overrepresented in those who are suffering poverty’s adverse effects, no matter how we measure or define “poverty”. For example, a 2015 study by the Edmonton Social Planning Council revealed troublesome statistics: one in eight Edmontonians lives below the poverty line; Alberta has the […]
Age Discrimination in Alberta Human Rights Legislation: New Developments
January 5, 2018 By Linda McKay-Panos
Alberta will be amending its Alberta Human Rights Act RSA 2000, c A-25.5 (“Act”), to expand protections for age discrimination and include improved program protections. Bill 23, which introduced amendments to the Act, was passed on November 14, 2017. These amendments were scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2018. The changes were prompted […]
