Canadian Human Rights Commission releases Annual Report

OTTAWA, March 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Human Rights Commission has released its Annual Report for 2011. The report describes the work of the Commission and highlights important changes to the Canadian Human Rights Act that took effect in 2011.

The most significant of these changes affects over 700,000 people, principally residents of First Nations communities. Since June 18, 2011, the Commission has been able to receive discrimination complaints against First Nations governments on matters under the Indian Act. Since that time, First Nations people have had access to the same level of human rights protection in law as everyone else in Canada.

"For over three decades, the Indian Act was shielded from Canada's human rights laws," Acting Chief Commissioner David Langtry said.  "It will take many years of effort to remedy this long legacy of neglect."

The Annual Report tells stories of individuals who have successfully used the Canadian Human Rights Act to bring about meaningful change, and illustrates how the Act continues to play an important role in the daily lives of Canadians.

The report discusses how the Commission is working collaboratively with employers to prevent discrimination. It also highlights some of the important cases in which the Commission has intervened before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and the courts in representation of the public interest. The 2011 Annual Report illustrates how the Commission's voice continues to be heard in the national discussion on human rights in Canada.

The 2011 Annual Report is available on the Commission's website. 

Canadian Human Rights Commission
Media Relations
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