(Ottawa) The United Nations-affiliated Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions says it is reviewing the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s (CHRC) compliance with international principles.
She is deciding whether the CHRC still deserves an “A” rating, which allows it to be included in bodies like the UN Human Rights Council.
The review of accreditation comes after a coalition of human rights organizations filed a complaint alleging discrimination against Black people within the CHRC.
Nicholas Marcus Thompson, director of the Black Class Action Secretariat, says Canada is now on notice.
He says the country cannot claim to be a world leader in human rights while “discriminating against its own citizens.”
A coalition of unions and federal organizations representing some 700,000 employees filed a complaint earlier this year, saying the Canadian Human Rights Commission is violating international law over its treatment of Black employees.
The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) received the petition and wrote in a report that the information “raises concerns about the Commission on Human Rights’ continued compliance with the Principles of Paris, including its ability to carry out its mandate effectively and its perceived credibility in combating systemic human rights violations. »
For this reason, she is launching a “special examination”.
A report from the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights last December detailed a “crisis of confidence” within the CHRC and questioned its ability to handle complaints fairly.
The study was prompted by grievances against the commission over its treatment of Black and racialized employees.
The senators found that some employees suffered harm at the hands of their employers, and the report noted that discrimination in the workplace can have significant and lasting effects.
“This is never acceptable, yet it is a daily reality for many Black and people of color in Canada,” the report said.
The Canadian Human Rights Commission said in a statement that it continues to operate with its “A” status and that special reviews aim to address concerns in a timely manner.
“We fully support the GANHRI accreditation process and believe that all [les institutions nationales des droits de la personne] must be held accountable for demonstrating their continued compliance with the Paris Principles when concerns are raised by society,” the commission affirmed.
“We welcome the subcommittee’s review and look forward to providing them with information on our work in combating systemic anti-Black racism within our organization as an employer, in our complaints handling function and in our advocacy role as Canada’s national human rights institution. »
The coalition, for its part, wants the commission to move to a direct access model and for Canada to accelerate reforms of the Employment Equity Act.
Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan, who released the final report of the Labor Review Task Force Employment Equity Act late last year, said his government would work to recognize black and LGBTQ+ people in two new designated groups under the law.
Legislation to this effect has not yet been introduced, but a spokesperson for his office said Mr O’Regan continues to meet with communities to brief him.
“We look forward to introducing government legislation that will fully address the needs of marginalized communities across Canada and eliminate barriers that prevent people from achieving their full potential in the workplace,” the office wrote in a statement.
The coalition also wants Canada to appoint a Black Equity Commissioner who would act as an independent senior official of Parliament.
Mr. Thompson said this position must have the power to control the Canadian public service, the Canadian Human Rights Commission and all levels of government.