Human rights in canada What you need to know

Learning goals By the end of this lesson, students will be able to… identify and describe some human rights, and human rights legislation in Canada identify exceptions to human rights legislation explain how human rights complaints are settled

Minds on – rapid write Take a minute to write down whatever comes to mind when you hear the term ‘human rights’. Ready? Go!

Canadian museum for human rights Winnipeg, MAN

Great investment…or waste of money? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az2cVU-wgdM

what are our human rights? Canadians are guaranteed protection against all of the following: Race Colour National or ethnic origin Religion Age Sex or gender* Marital status Physical or mental disability* Pardoned criminal conviction Sexual orientation

Why do we need human rights legislation? Several abuses over time have led most countries to adopt formal ‘human rights codes’ to protect all citizens Most countries realized this need after the horrors of WWII, in particular the Holocaust (+7,000,000 Jews and ‘undesirables’ executed by the Nazi gov’t) The United Nations formally adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction. (exerpt from the UN Declaration of Human Rights)

How are we protected in Canada? 1. Canadian Human Rights Act Protects us from discrimination from government agencies (ex. post office workers) 2. Provincial Human Rights Codes Protects Canadians from disc. by employers in the workplace (ex. Ontario Human Rights Commission)

WHAT IF HUMAN RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED? Human Rights Commision’s have a variety of remedies that may be applied if they rule that a person’s HR’s have been violated: Ordering the organization to stop the practice Forcing a letter of apology Financial compensation Adopt programs to assist the disadvantaged Provide HR training for all employees

Hockey and Human rights Hockey Canada deals with a trans-gender complaint

Jesse Thompson, 17, transgender athlete https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9da-i7Xndrg

Jesse Thompson cont’d So…lets analyze this case: 1. Who is the COMPLAINANT? Jesse Thompson 2. Who is the RESPONDENT? Hockey Canada 3. Which body heard the COMPLAINT? Ontario Human Rights Commission 4. What was the FINDING? In favour of Mr. Thompson, Hockey Canada resp for discrimination 5. What were the REMEDIES? Adopt programs to remedy the situation

When can human rights be denied? Can they? YES…under these circumstances: certain actions not discrimination of they are ‘reasonable and justifiable’ (ex. higher insurance for younger drivers) BONA FIDE OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT – specific skills required to do the job (ex. drivers licence for pizza delivery) AFFIRMATIVE ACTION – gives advantage to those who have been disadvantaged in the past (ex. NFL minority hiring policy for coaches)

What is harassment? Definition: Example: Persistent behaviour that violates the human rights of the victim Example: Sexual harassment – unwelcome sexual contact, remarks, leering, demands etc… Key term: Poisoned Environment – when a person or group is continually subjected to actions or comments that are uncomfortable

Human rights assign – DUE FRIDAY, Oct.17th Option 1: Role Play (2-3 mins) Create your own version of a scenario where human rights are being denied. See the examples from this note, and your textbook to use as a guide. You must include: An appropriate scenario for the classroom (actions and language appropriate) Max 4 per group A debrief with possible remedies for the situation Act your short (2-3 minute) skit out in front of the class. Each member should have a role in the skit. Option 2: (1-1.5 pages) Write a ‘Dear Lawyer’ letter explaining a situation in which someone’s human rights have been violated. Be specific and descriptive in outlining the situation. Ask for advice and what recourse (options) you have. Next, act as a lawyer and write a response. In your response, be sure to include the following: - Why you think they have a case - Who they should file the complaint with - Explain what remedies they may be entitled to - SEPARATE RUBRICS FOR ROLE PLAY AND LETTER -