Becoming the national voice
What we heard
The Commission must be more vocal and must be the national voice on all human rights issues in Canada
What it means
The Commission must be more proactive, more vocal and take the lead in setting the human rights agenda in Canada. This requires the Commission to speak out on human rights issues in Canada, regardless of legal jurisdiction related to complaints, and to use its voice to encourage social change.
“We need one cohesive human rights voice across Canada.”
Janet Fuhrer, President
Canadian Bar Association
“Silence is damaging. The Commission needs to be more vocal. It should be a leading light in the promotion of human rights in Canada, both domestically and internationally.”
John Packer, Director
Human Rights Research and Education Centre University of Ottawa
“The Commission needs to be the ‘hard truth teller’ and be Canada’s human rights watchdog.”
Yvonne Peters, Chair
Manitoba Human Rights Commission
“One of the Commission’s priorities should be to redefine itself as a national voice [for human rights] by building partnerships with different stakeholders and increasing its presence.”
Fo Niemi, President
The Center for Research-Action on Race Relations
“The Canadian Commission can show people how human rights are something that is relevant in their lives, and what they can do about it.”
David Matas, Senior Legal Counsel
B'nai Brith Canada
“The Commission is a national body that is expected to speak out and has recognized authority to speak on human rights.”
Alex Neve, Secretary General
Amnesty International Canada