Articles about ‘Human rights’

Introducing the “Islamophobia-is” Video Series

• March 15, 2021
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Introducing the “Islamophobia-is” Video Series

The Federal government has recently declared January 29 as a National Day of Remembrance (link) for the victims of the January 29, 2017 mosque shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Sainte-Foy, Quebec. Some have raised concerns that this declaration is not enough, and that the national memory of the victims will soon wither away from existence. » Read the rest

The Ontario Government’s 2021 Triage Policy

• March 11, 2021
• Khalid Mahdi
• Comments Off on The Ontario Government’s 2021 Triage Policy

With the second-wave of the COVID-19 pandemic placing an increased strain on hospitals across Canada, the provincial government earlier this year released a highly controversial triage policy aimed at helping the healthcare system adapt (link). The triage policy works by assessing and placing patients in a colour-coded framework based on their risk of short-term mortality, which is defined as “survival beyond 12 months after the onset of critical illness.” » Read the rest

Keeping Seniors at Home Amid COVID-19

• March 2, 2021
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Keeping Seniors at Home Amid COVID-19

CBC News highlights the role of Ontario’s rapidly growing Supports at Home Program (link), which was announced by the Ford government in December 2020. The program allows Seniors with significant needs, who would otherwise be sent to a nursing home, to receive the support that they need at home. » Read the rest

BC Human Rights Tribunal makes historic damages award to victim of racial harassment – but leaves him to swallow high legal costs

• February 8, 2021
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on BC Human Rights Tribunal makes historic damages award to victim of racial harassment – but leaves him to swallow high legal costs

On January 28, 2021, the BC Human Rights Tribunal awarded a former corrections officer nearly $1 million in damages for the racial discrimination he experienced in the workplace.

The decision marks the highest general damages award from the BC Tribunal. It comes just over 1.5 years after the Tribunal found that Levan Francis, a Black man, experienced discrimination in employment on the grounds of race and colour, as well as retaliation. » Read the rest

Can Artificial Intelligence Discriminate?

• February 1, 2021
• Kimberly Srivastava
• Comments Off on Can Artificial Intelligence Discriminate?

Can Artificial Intelligence Discriminate? In short, the answer is yes.

Dr. Jutta Treviranus, Director and Founder of the Inclusive Design Research Centre and the Inclusive Design Institute outlines what’s at stake. In this slide show (link), she identifies three areas of discrimination. » Read the rest

Postsecondary students cannot be asked about their sexual history when reporting sexual violence or harassment

• January 28, 2021
• Anoop Kalsi
• Comments Off on Postsecondary students cannot be asked about their sexual history when reporting sexual violence or harassment

On January 27, 2021, the Ontario Government announced it will be moving to amend current regulations regarding Sexual violence and harassment policies as postsecondary institutions. The government has recognized that many instances of sexual violence and harassment on and around campus go unreported because students fear reprisal and/or a concern that they will not be taken seriously. » Read the rest

Provincial government provides $7.5M for Geneva Centre training for educators

• January 20, 2021
• Amanda Dimilta
• Comments Off on Provincial government provides $7.5M for Geneva Centre training for educators

On January 10, 2021, Ontario announced a $7.5 million investment to “train our education staff to better support students on the autism spectrum and to foster a culture of respect, inclusion and opportunity in our schools”. The training will begin this year. » Read the rest

University of Waterloo Discriminated in its Admissions Decision, Court of Appeal Upholds

• January 11, 2021
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on University of Waterloo Discriminated in its Admissions Decision, Court of Appeal Upholds

The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a decision recognizing that students with disabilities are entitled to substantive accommodation when applying to university.

This decision confirms that university admission processes are not exempt from human rights obligations: where admissions standards adversely impact students with disabilities, universities must accommodate those students, or show that it would be an undue hardship to do so. » Read the rest

Black Public Servants Allege Discrimination in the Federal Public Service

• December 11, 2020
• Khalid Mahdi
• Comments Off on Black Public Servants Allege Discrimination in the Federal Public Service

CBC News has recently reported on a proposed class-action lawsuit by current and former Black Canadian civil servants alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of race. The lawsuit alleges that Black public servants have been repeatedly overlooked for promotions and subjected to a toxic work environments. » Read the rest

Does inaction on climate change violate Canadians’ human rights?

• November 16, 2020
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on Does inaction on climate change violate Canadians’ human rights?

Does inaction on climate change violate Canadians’ human rights? If the Netherlands are any example to follow, the answer may be yes.

In The Netherlands vs Urgenda, the Dutch Supreme Court found that an inadequate response to climate change can violate human rights. » Read the rest