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    Human Rights in Canada

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    Rohish Mehta
    Canada divides responsibility for protecting human rights at different levels of government. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects fundamental rights and freedoms from government policies and laws. Provincial and territorial acts ensure rights are upheld in areas like housing, schools and workplaces. The Canadian Human Rights Act protects against discrimination in federal services and workplaces. Together these laws demonstrate Canada's commitment to upholding human rights inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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    Human Rights in Canada

    Uploaded by

    Rohish Mehta
    18 views1 page
    Canada divides responsibility for protecting human rights at different levels of government. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects fundamental rights and freedoms from government policies and laws. Provincial and territorial acts ensure rights are upheld in areas like housing, schools and workplaces. The Canadian Human Rights Act protects against discrimination in federal services and workplaces. Together these laws demonstrate Canada's commitment to upholding human rights inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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    canda

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    Hrincanada Eng

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    Canada divides responsibility for protecting human rights at different levels of government. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects fundamental rights and freedoms from government policies and laws. Provincial and territorial acts ensure rights are upheld in areas like housing, schools and workplaces. The Canadian Human Rights Act protects against discrimination in federal services and workplaces. Together these laws demonstrate Canada's commitment to upholding human rights inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    18 views1 page

    Human Rights in Canada

    Uploaded by

    Rohish Mehta
    Canada divides responsibility for protecting human rights at different levels of government. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects fundamental rights and freedoms from government policies and laws. Provincial and territorial acts ensure rights are upheld in areas like housing, schools and workplaces. The Canadian Human Rights Act protects against discrimination in federal services and workplaces. Together these laws demonstrate Canada's commitment to upholding human rights inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 1

    Human Rights in Canada

    How Canada Divides Responsibility for Human Rights

    In 1948, with the horrors of WWII still fresh in memory, world leaders gathered at the United Nations
    to lay the foundations for a new world order. Unanimously, at an historic session of the
    General Assembly, they adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
    ts
    Inspired by ideals of peace and social justice, the Declaration provided a set
    of principles that to this day guide human rights law around the world.

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    The Charter protects the fundamental freedoms of all Canadians from


    policies and actions at all levels of government. For example, laws in
    Canada can be struck down by the courts if they are contrary to the
    rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Charter.

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    The Canadian Human Rights Act


    Under the Act, the right to enjoy freedom from
    discrimination is protected for everyone in Canada who
    receives service from or is employed by the federal public
    service. It also applies to private sector companies
    that are federally regulated. For example, if you feel
    discriminated against while receiving a service at a
    bank, or while participating in a federal government
    job selection process, these are matters most likely
    involving the Canadian Human Rights Act.

    an Rights Acts
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    s Act
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    Canadas provinces were among the first to adopt


    human rights codes. These applied to areas of activity
    under provincial jurisdiction, things like restaurants,
    stores, schools, housing and most workplaces. Canadas
    territories have also enacted human rights legislation.

    The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

    an

    The Declaration inspired Canadian leaders to enshrine many of the


    fundamental human rights championed by the UN into Canadian
    law, and at all levels of government. In Canada, protecting
    human rights is a shared responsibility, in keeping with the
    sharing of powers of governments in Canadas federal
    system.

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    h and Freedoms
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    In 1960, the federal government introduced Canadas


    first Bill of Rights, a precursor to the Canadian Charter
    of Rights and Freedoms (1982). The Charter was
    given significantly more legal force as it is part of the
    Constitution. The Charter protects fundamental rights and
    freedoms for all Canadians. Importantly, it protects civil and
    political rights of all individuals from policies and actions of
    government, including legislation.

    Provincial/Territorial Laws

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    The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal may be called on to decide on complaints that are referred to it
    by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Only the Tribunal has the authority to order a remedy
    or award damages.

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    The Canadian Human Rights Act (1977) is different. It resembles


    the provincial and territorial laws that in many cases preceded it.
    The Canadian Human Rights Act is legislation that protects people
    against discrimination based on race, age, sex, sexual orientation and
    seven other grounds. The Act protects individuals who are either employed
    by Canadas federal government or who receive services from it. It also governs
    organizations that are federally regulated such as inter-provincial transportation,
    banking, broadcasting and some First Nations organizations.

    Canadas provincial and territorial governments help


    ensure that peoples rights are upheld in all non-federal
    areas such as restaurants, schools, housing and most
    private sector workplaces. For example, if a landlord refuses
    to rent out an apartment based upon a persons race, religion,
    sexual orientation, or other grounds specified in law, this is likely
    a provincial or territorial matter.

    Did you know?


    The first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was
    written by a Canadian. John Humphrey was a Canadian lawyer and
    scholar who served as Director of Human Rights for the United
    Nations Secretariat from 1946 to 1966.

    Human Rights in Canada

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