Civil Rights in Canada - Research Paper Example

 Civil Rights in Canada Canada is a relatively new country when we compare it with rest of the world where well established historical cultural practices and ethnic identities form the backbone of their cultural identity. Canada is a blend of the majority English and French populations with a sprinkling from some other parts of Europe. During the past century, active migration to the country has been encouraged due to sparse population within Canada and the vast natural resources at hand. This has resulted in people from all parts of the world settling down in Canada. The sheer ethnic variety within the country is changing the outlook and perceptions of the world by an average Canadian, both within and outside the country. Ensuring civil rights for all, therefore, has acquired a more complex and vivid character, which presents new challenges to the Canadian lawmakers. From time to time issues are raised by minority communities, which have a tendency to stick together due to their religious backgrounds and countries of origin. This presents new challenges to the government of Canada which it tries to address and settle as amicably as possible as and when they crop up. The ethnic diversity of Canada is stupendous as it is represented by almost all nationalities of the world with about 50% of the population being of non-Canadian origin (www12.statcan.ca). Canada was created through a statute of the British parliament in 1867 known as ‘The Constitution Act, 1867’ and it defined the division of powers between the federal and the provincial governments (polisci.nelson.com). It was almost a century later that amendments were made entirely by the Canadian government through ‘The Constitution Act’ of 1982 when there was no role played by the British Parliament. This Act also included a ‘Charter of Rights and Freedom’ meant for all original and naturalized Canadian citizens. This Charter laid the foundations for civil rights protection in Canada. It included important aspects such as a guarantee of rights and freedom, fundamental freedoms, democratic rights, mobility rights, legal rights and equality rights and defined the official languages of Canada, at the same time providing minority language educational rights (laws.justice.gc.ca). The rights to which Canadian citizens were entitled were initiated in a limited manner in the province of Saskatchewan in 1947 (polisci.nelson.com). Later, the Canadian parliament passed the ‘Bill of Rights’ in 1960 which was aimed at protecting human rights and protecting people from government excesses, if any. Due to the ethnic diversity and the complex demographics of various provinces and localization of certain communities in specific regions of Canada, numerous clauses and amendments have taken place at the provincial as well as the federal level. This can be illustrated by the passing of specific Codes and Acts such as the Ontario Human Rights Code and Quebec’s own provincial charter of human rights. It is the responsibility of the Canadian Department of Justice to maintain and provide a digest of the decisions taken by the Supreme Court in relation to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. One of the most vital components of Civil Rights in Canada is the ‘Canadian Human Rights Act’ of 1985 which extends the law which prevent discrimination against citizens composed of different communities in the country. It aims at rendering equal opportunities to all citizens to make themselves the lives they are able to and wish to have and their needs should be accommodated in accordance with the obligations and duties they have towards the society. The Act provides for no hindrance in the achievement of such goals and provides for the prevention of any discrimination in the exercise of such rights based on ‘race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability or conviction for which pardon has been granted’ (laws.justice.gc.ca). Discrimination against certain races did exist in Canada with issues such as the discrimination against the indigenous people and those of African origin who grouped together against this discriminatory attitude (polisci.nelson.com). However, in 1990 the Canadian parliament passed a Bill known as the ‘Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act, Bill C-63’ which was enacted as a law in 1996 (Mock, 2005). The Bill aims at providing a national framework for fighting racism in Canadian Society by ascertaining the causes and manifestation of racism, providing a totally independent and outspoken national leadership and provides resources for ensuring equity, fairness and social justice (Mock, 2005). The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) commenced its activities in 1997 as an independent body under the aegis of a Board of Directors comprising of a Chairperson and 19 members. Provisions have been made for representation of all provinces within Canada and the CRRF ensures that regular meetings and discussions are held at different locations to address the main issues in the application of its primary activities of eliminating racism against minorities and aboriginal people as well as providing opportunities for education and employment to them. The CRRF is not confined to Canada alone and participates actively in a broader framework worldwide by deriving knowledge from other parts of the world and participating in international summits on racial discrimination. Racial discrimination and ethnic separation acquired a new identity after the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York with the general masses in most of the developed countries polarized against the Muslims and people of Arabic origin in particular. Canada could not escape this aftermath of the terrible event and people from these particular communities were looked down upon by the general masses. The sentiment spread worldwide and the fight against terrorism assumed a new meaning with most peace loving nations feeling immensely threatened. In Canada too, hate crimes against minority races and racist activities received an immediate boost in the few months following the terrorist attacks. The CRRF stepped in at the right time to address the issue and issued an appeal to the general public to desist from partaking in racial as well as religious intolerance (Mock, 2005). It involved government organizations, educational institutions, police and the media to educate people against racial and regional bias against the Muslim and the Arab Canadians. Representatives from the CRRF participated in the World Conference against Racism held in Durban, South Africa and the knowledge gained and the experience was used to initiate a comprehensive educational campaign against racism within Canada which included a number of presentations, distribution of pamphlets and literature, in order to promote racial and religious tolerance within the Canadian society (Mock, 2005). Canada is one of the most peaceful nations of the world which boasts of a harmonious coexistence of its multicultural society although not bereft of issues concerning racism, equal opportunity and discrimination. However, there is a concerted effort by the government as well as private organizations to address such issue and take remedial measures according to the changing political scenarios within as well as outside the country. There is a fair representation of people from all communities in the government which helps stabilize the character of the country. There maybe rare instances of discrimination but there are enough laws and Acts to address such issues. Human and civil rights have always been in the forefront and have been well addressed and the issues resolved amicably in the past. In order to sustain progress and emerge as a progressive country, Canada needs to carry forward the impetus which has built along its young history as a country. Works Cited Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, available online at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/charter/index.html#garantie Canadian Human Rights Act (R.S., 1985, c. H-6), Available online at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showdoc/cs/h-6///en?page=1 Civil Rights in Canada, Online article available at: http://polisci.nelson.com/rights.html Mock Karen, (2005), Perspectives on Current Issues on Community and Race Relations in Canada, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, available online at: http://migration.ucdavis.edu/rs/images/uploads/9RacerelationsMock.pdf Selected Ethnic Origins, for Canada, Provinces and Territories - 20% Sample Data, Available online at: http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/ETO/Table1.cfm?Lang=E&T=501&GV=1&GID=0 Social Movements and Interest Groups, Online article available at: http://polisci.nelson.com/igroups.html Read More