By Harinder Mahil
British Columbia Human Rights Commission moved one step closer to reality on December 10, the International Human Rights Day, when Ravi Kahlon, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Multiculturalism released a report with 25 recommendations for its re-establishment.
The recommendations come after an eight-week public engagement that resulted in hundreds of submissions from British Columbians.
At present British Columbia is the only province in Canada without a human rights commission. One aspect of the Human Rights Commission’s mandate that has been seriously missed over the last 15 years is the mandate for education on human rights issues.
The previous commission that was dismantled by the former liberal government in 2002 developed and conducted a program of public education and information designed to promote an understanding and acceptance of the Human Rights Code. The Commission did this by making presentations to employer organizations, unions, schools, colleges, universities and community organizations. The Commission also put out fact sheets and brochures on a number of subjects related to human rights.
More importantly the Commission often made statements to the media on human rights issues, thus generating debate and discussion. The Commission also issued annual reports which were educational tools.
The Commission represented broader public interest in addressing systemic discrimination by becoming party to complaints filed by others. We have missed the ability to tackle systemic discrimination in British Columbia for the last 15 years.
Kahlon’s report outlines recommendations in five categories, including the commission’s creation, purpose, functions, powers and early priorities.
“British Columbians have shared their stories, their insights and their ideas on how a new human rights commission can best serve the people of our province,” said Kahlon. “More than ever before, it’s clear there is a critical need for a new commission to help reduce discrimination and dismantle the intersecting systems of oppression in our society.”
One of the most important recommendations in Kahlon’s report is that the human rights commission function independently from government by reporting directly to the legislature and hold the government accountable through research, investigation, policy development and recommendation functions.
The report further recommends that the commission be led by one commissioner, and supported by a staff, a human rights advisory council, working groups, and community partnerships.
I hope that the government will act on Kahlon’s report in the next session so that we have a human rights commission in British Columbia.
Harinder Mahil is a former commissioner of the British Columbia Human Rights Commission and is presently a director of the Dr. Hari Sharman Foundation.
