As the Federal Housing Advocate embarks on a new three-year mandate, she reflects on the need to address the housing crisis as one of the most pressing social and economic challenges facing the country and makes the following statement
JOINT STATEMENT - To mark International Women's Day 2025, Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, Interim Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Lori Straznicky, Pay Equity Commissioner, Marie-Josée Houle, Federal Housing Advocate, and Dianna Scarth, Interim Accessibility Commissioner, issue the following joint statement
February marks the beginning of Black History Month—a time to reflect on, celebrate, and honour the significant contributions of Black communities to the fabric of Canadian society.This year is particularly meaningful as it marks the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada. In 1995, the Honorable Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to Parliament, introduced the parliamentary motion that officially recognized February as Black History Month.
Today on the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia, the Canadian Human Rights Commission stands in solidarity with Muslim communities across Canada.
Today, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Canadian Human Rights Commission joins people around the world in remembering and honouring the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust. We honour the resilience and courage of the survivors and reaffirm our commitment to fight against all forms of hate, discrimination, and intolerance in Canada.
Today, we mark International Human Rights Day and the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 1 of the Declaration proclaims that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Yet for many, this promise remains unfulfilled. To truly live up to those words, Canada must do a better job of ensuring that everyone across the country can live with dignity.
On National Housing Day, Marie-Josée Houle, Federal Housing Advocate, issues the following statement. A version of this story was published in Le Devoir (French only) on November 22, 2024.
Across Canada, people continue to be forced to live in public spaces because they have nowhere else to go. This national human rights crisis calls for a national response.
To mark September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Canadian Human Rights Commission issues the following statement
Today, on International Equal Pay Day, we are calling on all business leaders in Canada to be pay equity champions and to continue to take the necessary action towards closing the gender pay gap. Federally regulated employers were required to post their first pay equity plan on September 3, 2024, and we are encouraged to see organizations demonstrating their commitment to pay equity.