Advocating for human rights in Canada

National voice

We use our public platforms to engage Canadians, contribute to the national dialogue, and amplify key human issues in Canada, including:

Calling on Canada to enshrine socio-economic rights at the federal level to ensure that everyone living in Canada has equal access to live a life of their choosing.

Urging for human rights to be at the forefront as Canada navigates historic challenges.

Advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and for a barrier-free Canada.

Continuing to sound the alarm on the ongoing harms of systemic racism and hate and intolerance. For example, anti-Black racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Voicing the need to address violence against people experiencing homelessness.

Continuing to call on Canada to fulfil its domestic and international commitments to reconciliation and resolving the injustice and discrimination First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples continue to face.

Calling for urgent action to protect the human rights of people in Canada deprived of their liberty.

Calling for better protections for the human rights, health, and safety of two-spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender diverse people in Canada, especially youth.

Keeping federally regulated employers informed of their legal responsibilities under the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Employment Equity Act, the Accessible Canada and the Pay Equity Act.

Urging for strong human rights protections around the use of AI in public systems, particularly Canada’s criminal justice system.

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Research

The Commission cultivates human rights knowledge and expertise by conducting and supporting research into emerging human rights issues, and by working closely with advocacy groups, civil society and other human rights experts, in addition to people with lived experience.

It all informs the Commission’s positions on new and emerging human rights issues in Canada. Informed by this research and knowledge, we advocate and raise awareness among our public audiences, including: educators, academics, public servants, employers, service providers, members of the media, members of the public, and Parliamentarians.

Human Rights Artificial Intelligence AI Assessment tool: We are proud to have contributed to this work by the Law Commission of Ontario. Assessing AI applications for bias and discrimination should not be an afterthought nor a minor consideration. It must be integrated at every stage of AI design, development & implementation. This tool can help.

Fast Talk on environmental racism in Canada: The Commission is indebted to the panel of experts who participated in our dialogue session. Their valuable knowledge and expertise have made clear the link between environmental racism, environmental injustice and human rights in Canada.

Advice to government

The Commission is called upon regularly by Parliament to appear before Committee or deliver submissions to provide our expert advice on new laws and human rights matters. Our independent advice to government is informed by:

Our consultations with stakeholders, rights-holders and people with lived-experience

Our in-depth research and analysis

Discrimination complaints and case law

Parliament has recently called on us to hear our expertise on human rights issues, including:

Calling for protections for those deprived of liberty, and for Canada to ratify the United Nation’s Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT)

Modernizing the Employment Equity Act

Improving Canada’s disability benefit

The creation of an Indigenous Human Rights Framework

Guidance for the public

The Commission regularly provides updated human rights guidance to the Canadian public. While not legal advice, our guidance provides individuals and employers with a foundation from which to understand their rights and responsibilities, and how to create more inclusive workplaces and organizations.

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