Speaking notes for Marie-Claude Landry, Ad. E., Chief Commissioner, Canadian Human Rights Commission. Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence on Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Canada Border Services Agency Act
It is with great sadness that we learned of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the people who were killed and injured in this senseless act of terror.
The legislation proposes the grounds of “gender identity” and “gender expression” be added to the Canadian Human Rights Act. Doing so would clarify that discrimination or harassment related to a person’s gender identity or gender expression is against the law.
The deaths of migrants in detention in Canada, shines a light on thousands of undocumented people arbitrarily detained by Canada Border Services Agency because they requested asylum in Canada.
Each year, people across Canada come together to honour Indigenous languages, cultures and experiences on National Aboriginal Day. It is a day of celebration. It is also a day to call for awareness and action on important issues facing Indigenous peoples in Canada.
According to the President of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Québec, Mohamed Yangui, four mosques in Québec City are vandalized at least once a year. He reacts to the hate crime with a pacifist approach. As he told Radio-Canada in a recent interview, “Our community loves and respects everyone. I just wish for the feeling to be mutual.”
The Commission applauds Canada for its decision to adopt and implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within the laws of Canada.
This conference marks an important occasion for all sectors of Canadian society to reflect on the progress to achieve reconciliation. Keynote speakers and workshops will explore understandings of reconciliation and ways to implement and monitor the steps to reconciliation.
“I am very troubled by the results of the 2016 Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. It sheds light on statistics related to the behavior of military personnel in Canada. One in three Regular Force members saw, heard or experienced discriminatory gestures while one in four women has been a victim of sexual assault since joining the forces. The numbers, while shocking, are worse when you consider that many people are not surprised by the result.
Today we woke to news of a Swastika and an anti-Semitic slur spray painted on the door of an Ottawa rabbi’s home. Yesterday, posters promoting white supremacy were found in a Toronto park.