Human Rights

On March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we will unite within our union and around the world to stand up against racism and reaffirm our dedication to equal rights for everyone. 

Each year throughout February, Canadians explore and learn about the history of our Black Brothers and Sisters in honour of Black History Month – an annual, month-long observation to promote awareness to the general public.

Sister Robyn Benson writes to Conservative MP Candice Hoeppner condemning her decisino to no support Bill-C389, the important piece of legislation that would give transgender and transsexual people protection under federal human rights and hate crime legislation.

Since the beginning, this union has been at the forefront in promoting employment equity, pay equity and harassment-free workplaces and has been involved in the development and review of human rights legislation and jurisprudence. On December 10, 2010, we celebrate these achievements and those of all human rights activists for The United Nations’ Human Rights Day.

Nearly one in ten people are living with a disability and on December 3, 2010 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities – we stand in solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters to advocate for their right to live and work in society with dignity, autonomy and equality.

On November 20, 2010, we honour and remember the victims who were affected by or lost to transphobia related murders and abuse around the world. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice and their deaths are often ignored by the public and unreported by the media.

Photos from various 2010 Pride celebrations across the Prairie Region:Winnipeg - June 6, 2010Regina - June 17, 2010Calgary - September 5, 2010

 We have been in contact with the Native Womens Association of Canada (NWAC) and the New Democratic Party Aboriginal Affairs Critic Jean Crowder. There is some new concern that the Conservative government will not fulfill their promise to fund the Sisters in Spirit project.(See the Native Women's Association of Canada website for more information on the Sisters in Spirit project)

The Calgary Human Rights Committee volunteered at the annual Rides ‘n’ Rods on July 25, 2010 with Members from RCMP, Immigration Cda, Service Cda and CBSA, plus 10 more volunteers and a couple of spouses, too. The volunteers were privy to showing off the new HandiBus to the public, as well as collecting donations (each bus costs $90,000).