Human Rights Program & Women's Program

Human Rights Day - December 10

This year’s International Human Rights Day coincides with the 20th anniversary of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees equality for all Canadians. The Charter itself came into force in 1982, but the three-year delay of implementing Section 15 allowed federal, provincial and territorial governments time to bring their legislation into line with its provisions.

Charter challenges using Section 15 resulted in some gains for historically disadvantaged groups, such as the recent recognition of same-sex marriage. However, despite the existence of Section 15, the guarantee for equality has not been realized in Canada.

While there has been some progress since 1985, basic issues of inequality persist and are largely ignored by governments who have failed to uphold the fundamental values entrenched in the Charter. They have failed to pass legislation that effectively ensure equality, failed to properly implement existing ones, or introduced legislation, such as the Anti-Terrorism Act, that rolled back fundamental rights and freedoms. The lack of progress toward equality is also due to the inaccessibility to Charter litigation due to high costs and the length of time it takes to pursue such an action.

Thus, people with disabilities still do not have access to some modes of transportation and venues. Many women workers are still fighting for pay equity. Internationally trained professionals who have immigrated to Canada are de-skilled and underpaid due to lack of recognition of their foreign credentials. Aboriginal people, single mothers, people of colour and people with disabilities experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment than the majority of Canadians. Clearly, there is a need to push for changes in human rights and equality legislation that is fair and accessible.

The PSAC has a long history of defending human rights and has been at the forefront in the fight for employment and pay equity and harassment-free workplaces. We have also been very actively involved in the development and evolution of human rights legislation and jurisprudence.

While some gains were made in these areas, the PSAC has made human rights a priority for the Union. Through collective bargaining, education, the Social Justice Fund and political action, the PSAC ensures that human rights issues are at the top of the agenda.

While PSAC celebrates the few victories gained in the 20 years’ existence of Section 15, it recognizes the need to continue the struggle for true equality and re-affirms its commitment to true equality and human rights in Canada and the world.