Ambitions for Ottawa — Let’s make 2022 about human rights*

As a matter of both lofty aspiration and concrete action there could no more meaningful ambition for Ottawa in 2022 than embracing a vision for the city firmly grounded in human rights. A step forward would be to adopt a municipal Human Rights Charter that commits to ensuring policy-setting and decision-making at all levels – the Mayor, Council, and city staff – is informed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Canada’s international human rights obligations.

2021 has been a tough year at City Hall and for the people of Ottawa. Light rail transit remains, seemingly, an eternal work in progress. Debates about addressing systemic racism, particularly when it comes to the police budget, have been fractious. Deaths, illness and economic hardship associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a wrenching toll. The handling of sexual harassment allegations against Councillor Chiarelli has been roundly critiqued. Homelessness and access to affordable housing continue to be of grave concern. And the approval of the massive Tewin property development has been criticized by many First Nations leaders.

In all instances, acknowledgement of the binding human rights obligations involved has been largely absent. These are not just matters of economic development, social policy, community safety, public health, bylaws, and setting budgets. At their very core, these are human rights concerns. Rights to equality, health, livelihoods, mobility and adequate housing. The right to peaceful protest. The right to be free from racial and gender discrimination. The land and Treaty rights of Indigenous peoples.

There are numerous municipal documents that touch on human rights including the Equity and Inclusion Lens, Reconciliation Action Plan, Accessibility Policy, Women and Gender Equity Strategy, and Bilingualism Policy. But above the merits of any of such policies, where do we look for assurance of human rights being at the heart of the city’s purpose, no matter the circumstances? Nowhere in particular.

In fairness, Ottawa is not unique as a city that comes up short when it comes to human rights. Nationally and internationally, cities have not generally been in the frame when it comes to developing human rights norms and creating mechanisms to turn those promises into reality. No matter their size or clout (often considerable) cities have no standing at the United Nations. Here in Canada, human rights law-making has focused on federal, provincial and territorial governments, each of which have human rights acts, codes, commissions and tribunals.

But there are city governments starting to turn that around; cities determined to truly embrace human rights. In Europe, over 360 local governments have endorsed the European Charter for the Safeguarding of Human Rights in the City and seven cities in five countries have formed a Human Rights Cities Network. Gwanju, South Korea hosts the annual World Human Rights Cities Forum, and Seoul has adopted a Human Rights Ordinance to back up its claim to be a Human Rights City. Barcelona, which describes itself as a City of Human Rights, has demanded that vacant apartments be made available as affordable housing. Motivated by human rights, Amsterdam is pushing back against Airbnb domination in the city’s housing stock. San Francisco has committed to complying with the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. And in Canada, Montreal has a Charter of Rights and Responsibilities, Toronto a rights-based Housing Charter, and Winnipeg a Human Rights Committee.

It is far from a universal trend, and we are far from guaranteeing human rights at city level, but there is momentum. Cities across the globe are demonstrating an increased understanding that our systems are broken, and human rights may be the fix required to undo structural inequalities, and to create communities based in principles of equality, inclusion, and dignity for all.

2022 is a notable year for human rights in Canada as we mark the 40th anniversary of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. What better time for Ottawa to start to forge a bold human rights path.

A Human Rights Charter for the city would be a tremendous beginning.

*Originally published as an opinion piece in the Ottawa Citizen on December 10, 20201, Human Rights Day.