Opinion Editorial: Justice and human rights for all?
Throughout the world, Canada is widely recognized for its commitment to democracy, freedom and the protection of human rights. Given this, it’s so ironic that certain members of this country’s parliamentarians aren’t more eager to ensure that all of Canada’s citizens share the same protection of their human rights.
In the wake of the federal government’s recent introduction in the House of Commons of legislation to ensure that the fundamental human rights of First Nations people are protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act, I remain baffled by the Opposition’s unwillingness to ensure that the proposed Bill is passed without delay.
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples has been engaging in a dialogue since early fall with members of Canada’s off reserve Aboriginal population. This countrywide consultation is aimed at enhancing the protection of Human Rights for First Nations people living away from Indian Act reserves.
We’ve learned that an overwhelming majority of the human rights violations that
Bill C-21 seeks to redress are directed towards Aboriginal women. These women feel they have no appropriate mechanisms in place to deal effectively with their complaints and that there is an urgent need to deal with this problem through the repeal of section 67 of the Human Rights Act.
Any suggestion that there hasn’t been an opportunity to address how this proposed Act can be implemented so that capacity concerns of First Nation governments are addressed is not dealing with fact. At the heart of this matter are peoples’ rights.
Efforts that seek to deal with this have been ongoing throughout the last thirty years. That is more than long enough for consultation. After such a lengthy period there can be absolutely no reason to delay forward movement on such a fundamental matter any further.
Certain of the leadership in First Nations communities seem preoccupied with concerns over timing and their demand for further consultation. To them I ask, what about the concerns of the people on the ground? Do they not matter?
I can say with conviction that people are feeling frustrated by the needless delays. They’re telling us that Canada needs to get on with this matter and grant them the same accommodation and protection of rights as all other Canadians.
There’s absolutely no agenda at play here other than ensuring that the protection of rights for some of Canada’s most disadvantaged citizens is dealt with, once and for all.
Patrick Brazeau
National Chief
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
867 St. Laurent Blvd. Ottawa, On K12K 3B1
