In Canada's federal election, we need to hear about human rights*

With a federal election underway, pundits seek to ascertain what the parties will prioritize in their campaigning.

There is no shortage of pressing contenders, including the health and economic dimensions of COVID-19, the climate crisis, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, systemic racism, gender inequality, the digital world, refugee protection, and humanitarian hotspots around the world.

Beyond pledges about such concerns, however, what we need to hear from leaders is full-fledged readiness to uphold human rights. That is the key to meaningful progress with respect to all challenges we face, nationally and globally.

Human rights protection is foundational, yet we rarely hear convincing commitments framed from a human rights perspective in elections. Platitudes and posturing, that’s easy. Heartfelt endorsement of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is commonplace, from some parties. And commendable positions on specific human rights situations arise sporadically.

But a compelling vision for concretely putting human rights at the heart of Canada, not so much.

We need leaders to make it clear that they will assess issues, craft policy, reform laws, set budgets and make decisions through a human rights framework.

Not only when it is convenient. Not as a secondary afterthought. And certainly not by putting feel-good human rights language in more press releases.

Taking human rights seriously is about equality, agency, accountability, remedies, transparency and consistency.  That is essential when it comes to COVID recovery, climate justice, Indigenous rights, dismantling racism, advancing gender equality, governing the internet and protecting refugees. That is fundamental in responding to crises in Afghanistan, Haiti, Ethiopia, China, Israel/Palestine, Venezuela, Syria, Yemen, Colombia, Myanmar and elsewhere. 

Above all else, it is how we will ultimately realize an equitable and sustainable world.

We could ask for parties’ human rights laundry lists. How will they rectify Canada’s various human rights shortcomings? What international human rights treaties will they ratify? Will they reconceive relationships with countries with whom we regularly prioritize politics and economics over human rights? That would be welcome.

But more crucially, we need commitments that are transformative, not only reactive.  Commitments that are overarching, not piecemeal.  Commitments that are not just in the moment but will stand the test of time.

Here are three that would make a difference.

First, ensure that Canada’s stance on the world stage is consistently guided by international human rights standards. The Trudeau government adopted a feminist international assistance policy in 2017 and has been consulting with civil society towards a broader feminist foreign policy. Those are steps in the right direction. Now, will parties commit to a legislated requirement to implement an international human rights action plan across the entirety of Canada’s global affairs?

Ensuring equitable vaccine availability worldwide, responding to the downward spiral in Afghanistan, selling armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia, working to free Canadians imprisoned abroad, acting on concerns about Canadian mining companies in Latin America, setting refugee policy along the US border, or squaring the Beijing Olympics with what is happening to Uyghurs and in Hong Kong? Human rights must reliably be the overriding consideration in setting Canada’s course globally.

Second, shut down the growing inclination to use the Charter of Rights’ problematic notwithstanding clause.  Provincial governments have recently recklessly used this escape hatch three times to avoid human rights obligations: twice in Quebec and once in Ontario.

Ottawa doesn’t write provincial laws. And we aren’t about to amend the Charter. It would be helpful, however, for all federal parties to unequivocally promise – backed up by legislation – never to resort to section 33.

Third, it is time for a truly national embrace of human rights across Canada. For decades we have been hobbled by an ineffective and secretive approach among federal, provincial and territorial governments when it comes to complying with our vital international human rights obligations. Our governments must collaborate to uphold those obligations equally and meaningfully across the country. They do not.

Last year, in a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for human rights cohosted by the federal and Nova Scotia governments, an important decision was taken, largely unnoticed, to set up a Forum of Ministers on Human Rights.

That’s all we know. It needs to be a gamechanger when it comes to delivering human rights protection across the country. But it could easily be a wasted opportunity. We need to hear from federal parties about their vision for this Forum, and what concrete action they will take to make that happen.

We do face immense challenges that understandably feel daunting. Taking human rights seriously, like never before, will put us on the right path.

 * An edited version of this blog was published in the Ottawa Citizen on 18 August, 2021.