This is a continuation of an earlier column about the Report on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women in British Columbia, Canada which was issued in December 2014 by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (“IACHR”) of the Organization of American States.The Report concludes with a series … [Read more...]
Role of the Organization of American States in Canadian Human Rights
Recently, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States (OAS) said that there should be an inquiry in Canada into the country’s missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. The seven-member panel concluded that the disappearances and murders are part of a … [Read more...]
Transgender youth: Everyday items, everyday rights
The public bathroom can be a major source of anxiety for transgender youth. Using a public restroom may result in their status being discovered. If they identify as transgender and have not yet revealed their identity, they may feel like an imposter. Worse yet, trans teens may be subject to … [Read more...]
Why Canada Should Have a Museum for Human Rights
Recently, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened in Winnipeg. It is the first national museum built outside of Ottawa and the only one in the world that is dedicated solely to human rights. The museum was originally envisioned and supported by the late Israel and Babs Asper. Governments … [Read more...]
The Whatcott Case: Balancing Free Speech and Social Harmony
Introduction: a Clash of Rights The freedoms of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion and expression comprise some of our “fundamental freedoms” listed in section 2 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They assure the free exchange of ideas, the practice of one’s faith, the development … [Read more...]
A Film Series: “Do the Rights Thing”
LawNow’s long-time Law and Literature columnist Rob Normey has been deeply involved in the development of a monthly film series called Do the Rights Thing: Standing up for Human Rights in History. The film series was developed by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights and is being … [Read more...]
Random Alcohol and Drug Testing as a Complex Human Rights Issue
At the moment in Canada, there are some legal cases dealing with unions, privacy and random drug testing. The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) recently decided a case on the issue. See: Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Local 30 v Irving Pulp and Paper Mill, 2013 SCC 34 … [Read more...]
New Developments in the Area of Discrimination on the Basis of Family Status
Note: a portion of this article is reproduced with permission from Ablawg.ca “Accommodation for Family Status Required by Federal Human Rights Tribunal for Three Alberta Women” – Ablawg December 22, 2010 All provinces and territories, and the federal government, have human rights legislation to … [Read more...]
Standing Up for Your Rights
Standing is a legal principle that addresses who is entitled to bring a case before the court for a decision. Although standing (in a legal sense) may sound like a technical legal issue, it is very important to rights litigation in Canada. After the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter) … [Read more...]
The Constitutional Right to a Healthy Environment
Fifty years ago, the concept of a human right to a healthy environment was viewed as a novel, even radical, idea. Today it is widely recognized in international law and endorsed by an overwhelming proportion of countries. Even more importantly, despite their recent vintage, environmental rights … [Read more...]
