1. Human rights in canada
What you need to know

2. 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

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

4. Canadian museum for human rights
Winnipeg, MAN

5. Great investment…or waste of money?

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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)

9. 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

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

11. Jesse Thompson, 17, transgender athlete

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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 -