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May 10, 2002
Protect human rights
Letters
Editor: Recent incidents of anti-Semitism in Canada, such as synagogue
burnings in Toronto and Saskatoon, among other assaults, make it
clear to the Jewish community that now is the time for strong human
rights legislation.
Although similar attacks are also taking place in France and other
countries, the fact that this is happening in Canada, which prides
itself on taking a hard line against racism, strikes a little too
close to home. And yet, provincial budget cuts to agencies working
within the human rights system will make the government less able
to protect British Columbians.
Human rights legislation, along with other areas of administrative
law in the province, is now undergoing a full review as part of
the provincial government's examination of core services. Canadian
Jewish Congress, Pacific Region, participated in this review in
February by submitting a brief recommending that the government
make administrative, structural and investigative changes that would
enhance fairness and resolve complaints more quickly.
However, in recent months there has been a severe reduction in the
Human Rights Commission's budget, resulting in staff cuts and an
end to legal counsel for complainants who cannot afford a lawyer
to represent them in their claims against discrimination. Staffing
of the provincial Hate Crime Team, which has helped strengthen human
rights in British Columbia, has also been reduced through attrition:
two police officers on the team were reassigned and only one has
been replaced.
The provincial government is set to introduce a draft bill on human
rights this spring. We understand that the government will feel
it necessary to bring in legislation within the framework of its
longer-term financial plan. Our view is that protecting human rights
and fostering tolerance and understanding is of fundamental importance
to all British Columbians, and human rights legislation is one of
the most vitally important legal guarantees of equality and dignity
to all persons. Therefore, the legislation must be clear and broad
enough to accomplish this goal.
We are convinced that the health of a democracy can be gauged in
part by the way it treats its minorities. It is an historical truth
that, in difficult economic times, minority groups suffer most from
violation of their rights and dignity. This suffering has ranged
from ridicule to hatred and contempt; from covert discrimination
to overt acts of hatred; and from verbal abuse to physical violence.
It makes little difference whether there is an absence of laws allowing
for proper redress or whether a province has laws that are simply
inadequate or unenforceable. In both situations, justice is neither
done nor seen to be done. The ever-present shadow of racism, prejudice
and discrimination unfortunately persists and threatens the integrity
of our society.
Nisson Goldman, chair
Canadian Jewish Congress,
Pacific Region
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