The Federal Government and every Canadian province have legislation dealing with human rights, as well as human rights commissions to administer that legislation. In Canada, both federal and provincial or territorial governments protect the individual's rights and freedoms. The territorial governments may also legislate to protect human rights, since the federal government has delegated those powers to them. All provinces and territories also have human rights legislation to prohibit discrimination on various grounds with regard to employment and the provision of goods, services and facilities. It outlaws discrimination in employment and in the delivery of goods and services on eleven grounds: race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, pardoned conviction, disability, and sexual orientation. The Canadian Human Rights Act applies to people working for either the Federal Government or a private company regulated by the Federal Government. It also applies to anyone who receives goods and services from any of those sectors. Every Canadian is legally protected from discrimination by the various levels of human rights legislation. In order to ensure that this legislation is effective, human rights commissions oversee the application of human rights law.
Fundamental human rights
- Freedom of speech, expression, and the press
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of assembly and association
- Right to equal protection of the law
- Right to due process and fair trial
Human rights are a central theme of Canadian foreign policy for a number of reasons:
Canadians expect their government to be a leader in the human rights field by reflecting and promoting Canadian values, including respect for diversity, on the international stage.
Canadians recognise that their interests are best served by a stable, rules-based international system. Countries which respect the rule of law tend to respect the rights of their citizens, are more likely to benefit from development, and are much less likely to experience crises requiring peacekeeping, emergency assistance or refugee resettlement missions.
The UN Charter and customary international law impose on all countries the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. This is not merely a question of values, but a mutual obligation of all members of the international community, as well as an obligation of a state towards its citizens.
