Global body that reviews Canada’s human rights credentials in relation to the discrimination complaint

OTTAWA — A global human rights alliance affiliated with the United Nations says it is examining the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s compliance with international principles.

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions says it is deciding whether the Canadian agency still deserves an “A” rating, which allows it to participate in bodies such as the UN Human Rights Council.

The accreditation review comes after a coalition of human rights organizations filed a complaint about anti-black discrimination at the commission.

“With this international review, the Canadian government is now on notice,” said Nicholas Marcus Thompson, executive director of the Black Class Action Secretariat.

“It cannot claim to be a global leader in human rights while discriminating against its own right here at home.”

A coalition of unions and federal organizations representing about 700,000 workers filed the complaint earlier this year, saying the Canadian Human Rights Commission is violating global law for its treatment of black employees.

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions received the request and wrote in a report that the information “raises concerns about the CHRC’s continued compliance with the Paris Principles, including its ability to fulfill its mandate effectively and its perceived credibility in combating systemic human rights violations’.

Because of this, it initiates a “special assessment”.

A December Senate report on anti-black racism in the committee found a “crisis of confidence” in the body and questioned its ability to respond to human rights complaints in a “fair and equitable manner”.

The study was prompted by complaints against the commission over its treatment of black and racialized employees.

The senators found that some employees were harmed by their employer, and the report noted that discrimination in the workplace can have significant and lasting effects.

“It is never acceptable, but it is a daily fact of life for many people of color and people of color in Canada,” the report says.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission said in a statement that it continues to operate with its “A” status and that special assessments are intended to address concerns in a timely manner.

“We fully support the GANHRI accreditation process and believe that all (national human rights institutions) must be held accountable for demonstrating their continued compliance with the Paris Principles when concerns are raised by civil society,” the commission said.

“We welcome the subcommittee’s special review and look forward to providing them with information about our work to address systemic anti-Black racism within our organization as an employer, in our grievance function, and in our advocacy role as a National Human Rights Institution To the man from Canada”.

Meanwhile, the coalition wants Canada to move to a direct access model to the commission and speed up reforms to the Employment Equity Act.

Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan, who launched the final report of the Employment Equality Act Review Task Force late last year, said his government would work to recognize black and LGBTQ+ people in two new groups designated under laws.

Legislation to that effect has yet to be introduced, but a spokesman for his office said O’Regan continues to meet with communities to inform him.

“We look forward to introducing government legislation that embraces the needs of Canada’s marginalized communities and breaks down the barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential in the workplace,” they said in a statement.

The coalition also wants Canada to appoint a black capital commissioner to serve as an independent officer of Parliament.

Thompson said the office must have the power to oversee the Canadian public service, the Canadian Human Rights Commission and all levels of government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 11, 2024.

Alessia Passafiume, Canadian Press