News
NGOs file submissions to OHCHR for Canada's Second Universal Periodic Review
On April 26, 2013 Canada’s human rights record as a whole will again be assessed by the UN Human Rights Council under the Universal Periodic Review procedure. This is Canada's second Universal Periodic Review. NGO submissions for Canada's Second UPR were submitted on October 9, 2012.
See submissions and read more here.
AGs File Motion to Dismiss in historic Right to Housing Charter challenge
Five coalitions of organizations seeking to intervene.
Meeting with Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on Governance and Social Rights Compliance
Supreme Court Denies Leave Application in Undocumented Migrants Right to Healthcare Case
Read the Application for Leave to Appeal
Once again the Supreme Court of Canada has denied leave in a critical Charter case involving impoverished and marginalized groups. This decision is particularly disturbing, as the Federal Court of Appeal decision in the case had shocked the international community by ruling that denying undocumented migrants access to healthcare necessary for the protection of their lives is not unconstitutional in Canada. While the Court recognized that the Federal Government's policy violates the right to life under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it found that the violation of the right to life and health of undocumented migrants is consistent with "principles of fundamental justice". Read more.
NWAC and FAFIA Brief the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls
The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) and the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) provided a thematic briefing to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on March 28, 2012 in Washington D.C. on the disappearances and murders of Aboriginal women and girls in British Columbia, Canada. The one-hour briefing included presentations by NWAC and FAFIA, response by representatives of Canada (Justice, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada), and questions from the Commissioners.
The Commissioners present at the briefing were: Tracy Robinson, Chair of the Commission and Rapporteur on the Rights of Women, Dinah Shelton, Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and Rosemary Antoine, Rapporteur for Canada, and for Social and Economic Rights.
Civil Society Groups organize in Advance of Mission to Canada of UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food in May, 2012.
Brief to UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food
Read more on the Special Rapporteur's Mission and How to Get Involved
Canadian Council on Disability files Intervener factum at the Supreme Court of Canada in Moore.
The intervention addresses comparator groups, duty to accommodate, substantive equality, social construction of disability and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. CURA researcher Gwen Brodsky, counsel for CCD. Unfortunately, CCD and other equality seeking groups have been denied leave to make oral argument
‘Human Rights Impact Assessent Videoconference Series’
Series launched at Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa.
Housing Justice Project launched in Vancouver.
Research will address housing justice in Vancouver through public engagement, policy development, and legal rights advocacy. Co-principal investigators Penny Gurstein, director of UBC’s School of Community and Regional Planning and Margot Young, associate professor of Law at UBC
Case on Discrimination on the Ground of Poverty and Access to Justice Denied Leave by Supreme Court
New article on Accommodation in the 21st Century
CURA researchers Gwen Brodsky, Shelagh Day and Yvonne Peters co-authors in a collaborative project of the Poverty and Human Rights Centre, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities and the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
Supreme Court denies Application for Leave in Poverty as Analgous Ground Case
Nell Toussaint appealed constitutional ruling of the Federal Court of Appeal finding that poverty and receipt of social assistance not prohibited grounds of discrimination and that the constitutional principle of the rule of law and access to justice applies only to courts and not to administrative bodies.
New Webinar series on ‘The International Initiative to Promote Women’s Right to Social Security and Protection’.
CURA hosts Symposium on Social Rights Practice in Ottawa.
Draft papers presented for publication in a forthcoming book on Social Rights Practice in Canada.
Expert affidavits served in historic Right to Housing Charter challenge.
Charter challenge demands that federal and provincial governments adopt and implement effective strategies to eliminate homelessness and protect the right to adequate housing, as recommended by UN human rights bodies, experts and parliamentary committees.
Sharon McIvor case now at the U.N Human Rights Committee.
Petition to the Human Rights Committee follows in footsteps of Sandra Lovelace petition.