New human rights protections in Canada
In 2019, the Commission was mandated with several new responsibilities under three new laws: the Pay Equity Act, the National Housing Strategy Act, and the Accessible Canada Act.
These laws will advance equality and human rights in Canada by eliminating barriers and preventing discrimination.
This means the Commission will experience growth as these new laws are implemented. Two new Commissioners will now be part of the Commission — the Federal Pay Equity Commissioner, and the Federal Accessibility Commissioner. The Federal Housing Advocate will also be housed here at the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
Standing Together
These are the inspiring stories of people who are finding their own ways to bring people together, to open doors and to help create a Canada where everyone feels safe, valued, and included.
Complaining to the Commission
Each year, the Canadian Human Rights Commission helps thousands of people find the most efficient way to address their human rights concerns or find information about their rights. In many cases, the Commission helps people resolve their issues quickly and informally, or helps them find the appropriate process to resolve their issue.
Promoting Human Rights
The Commission is responsible for promoting equality and inclusion in Canada. We do this by raising awareness, encouraging dialogue, conducting research and analysis, engaging with civil society and the international human rights community, providing expert advice to policy-makers, and speaking out on pressing human rights issues affecting people in vulnerable situations.
In 2019, our promotion work involved such issues as trans rights research, Indigenous employment representation, and online hate. We called on Parliamentarians and the Government to confront racism, eliminate harmful conditions for prisoners, prevent and address all forms of discrimination and violence against women, and improve the lives of people with disabilities.
