Facts

• As Canada becomes increasingly multicultural, people will have to not only get “used” to living together but be able to reach a level of full acceptance, appreciation and fulfillment in having everyone have equal opportunity.
• To eliminate discrimination, all areas of our lives must be diversified. In the general Canadian population, 16.2% of people classify themselves as visible minorities; our leaders (MPs, mayors, senate and other officials) should represent this figure in their demographic (Statistics Canada).
• The average earnings of employed women are still substantially lower than those of men, even when they are employed on a full-time basis. In 2003, women working on a full-time, full-year basis had average earnings of $36,500, or 71% what their male counterparts made (Statistics Canada).
• Sexual orientation is also a common basis for discrimination. For example, same-sex couples are often discriminated against when it comes to pensions, hospital visitation, immigration policies, adoption rights and public housing applications.
• Different categories of discrimination include: racism, homophobia, sexism and ageism.

Laws

The Canadian Human Rights Act (passed in 1977) ensures equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination in federal jurisdiction. The Act protects anyone living in Canada against discrimination in or by:

• Federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations
• Post offices
• Chartered banks
• Airlines
• Television and radio stations
• Inter-provincial communications and telephone companies
• Buses and railways that travel between provinces
• Other federally regulated industries, such as certain mining operations

To support and reinforce federal Human Rights laws, Provincial, Territorial and even International Human Rights Codes exist to protect people against discrimination.Also, Section 718.2 of the Criminal Code allows a judge to impose longer sentences for crimes motivated by hate (Criminal Code).

Need help?

How can you stop discrimination?

• Some acts of discrimination can be easily spotted and can be stopped, while others cannot. If you can do it safely, defend someone if he or she is discriminated against.
• Question your friends, family, political leaders, priest, teachers, neighbors and own actions and words to identify whether they are discriminatory.
• Educate yourself and others; get to know different people and accept them for who they are and the choices they make.
• Don’t speak negatively about others; everyone is unique in their own ways.
• Tell friends that discriminatory jokes are wrong and certainly not funny.
• Take a personal stand and vow to not engage in discriminatory behavior.

What can you do if you are being discriminated against?

• Know your rights – check the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Human Rights Act and your school/work/community center policies on discrimination.
• Remember that it is a terrible situation and sadly you are not the only one facing it. Be strong and confident.
• Tell someone you trust and can confide in for help and advice.
• Contact an organization that deals with your issue.
• Take the steps to file a claim or formal complaint about the incident (to the principal if it happens at school, the police if it occurred in your community, etc.).
• If the act was serious, you may need an outsider (such as the police) to deal with it. Victims of Hate Crimes can call the Anti-Hate Hotline at 1-800-892-2624 to receive counseling or assistance 24 hours a day.

It takes more than one person to stop discrimination. Think of ways you can fight discrimination in your school and community.

• Create a pledge wall to end discrimination in your school or community.
• Create a petition.
• Start a poster campaign: show off your artistic skills while fighting discrimination.
• Write a letter to your school board, MP or community paper.
• Create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to be aired on your local television network to raise awareness about discrimination.
• Most importantly, talk about it. Make this a hot topic in your world.

Links

Canadian Human Rights Commission
The Canadian Human Rights Act
Human Rights Watch-Defending Human Rights Worldwide
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
The European Commission’s website on anti-discrimination
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Employment Equity Act