Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers from across the country gather to discuss Human Rights 

December 12, 2017 - Gatineau, QC - Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat

For the first time in nearly 30 years, federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for human rights met to discuss key priorities of FPT governments in relation to Canada’s international human rights obligations.

The meeting opened with a welcome from an Anishinabeg Elder from Kitigan Zibi. 

Canada’s international human rights obligations

The meeting began with a presentation on Canada’s international role, its human rights treaty obligations and their importance to FPT governments.  Ministers heard how Canada’s implementation is monitored by international bodies and Ministers in attendance reaffirmed their commitment to human rights.

Canada’s accession to additional UN human rights treaties

Ministers discussed Canada’s possible accession to three United Nations’ (UN) treaties. Ministers reiterated their commitment to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities and agreed to complete their consideration of Canada’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (OP-CRPD). They highlighted the importance of preventing mistreatment of detainees and committed to consider Canada becoming a party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OP-CAT). Ministers also agreed to pursue discussions on the possibility of Canada becoming a party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED). This convention is aimed at preventing secret detention by the state and ensuring that no detained person is left unprotected.

Canada and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Ministers discussed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration). Ministers shared approaches to advancing human rights and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called on FPT governments to fully adopt and implement the UN Declaration as the framework for reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. In May 2016, the Government of Canada announced unqualified support for the UN Declaration and a commitment to its full and effective implementation in accordance with the Canadian Constitution. Ministers agreed to ongoing intergovernmental discussions about the UN Declaration.

Strengthening intergovernmental collaboration and public dialogue on human rights

Ministers affirmed support for holding future FPT Human Rights Ministerial meetings. They agreed to enhance FPT collaboration through a senior level mechanism. They also agreed to modernize the mandate of the intergovernmental Continuing Committee of Officials on Human Rights.  This entails developing a protocol for following up on the recommendations that Canada receives from international human rights bodies and a stakeholder engagement strategy.

Strengthening Canada’s implementation of social and economic rights

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights, and highlighted the importance of these rights.  Ministers agreed to promote human rights principles in developing social policy.

Key FPT human rights initiatives

Ministers shared information about some of their key human rights initiatives including policy, programs and legislation respecting children’s rights, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2, anti-racism, gender equality, criminal justice and corrections, education, and other matters.

Other priority items

On the occasion of this historic meeting, Ministers also heard from leaders of the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council, who shared their perspectives on human rights issues of importance to them.

Ministers met with a wide range of civil society and Indigenous representatives to hear their views on Canada’s human rights priorities.

They met with the Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Chair  of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA) to discuss the role that commissions play in supporting implementation of Canada’s international human rights obligations.