Purpose and Background

Purpose

Creating a Culture of Inclusion at Bow Valley College is an initiative that aims to create a campus culture of respect by viewing individual human rights through lenses of inclusion and collaboration. The resource was guided by input from Bow Valley College employees through a series of world cafés and focus groups.

The resource helps inform employees at Bow Valley College about their human rights. The spirit of the resource is the same as the spirit of human rights legislation in Canada. It is remedial – one that helps all employees understand human rights with respect to themselves as well as people they deal with in the workplace. The premise is that when employees understand their own and others’ rights and responsibilities, they can be instrumental in eliminating discrimination and in building a truly inclusive workplace environment for everyone in the organization.

Background

The human rights listed in this resource are from the thirty that make up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which forms the basis of human rights legislation in Canada. Below is a quick overview of the various levels of human rights legislation in Canada:

1.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Basis of human rights in Canada
2.
Canadian Human Rights Act
Protects people in Canada from discrimination when they are employed by, or receive services, from
  • the federal government
  • First Nations governments
  • private companies that are regulated by the federal government (e.g. banks, telecommunications, etc.) (Canadian Human Rights Commission [CHRC], n.d.)
3.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • protects every Canadian’s right to be treated equally under the law and protects the rights of all Canadians from infringement by laws, policies, or actions of governments including authorities such as the police.
  • only applies to governments or a person who is acting on behalf of a government, and not to private individuals, businesses or other organizations. (CHRC, n.d.)
4.
Provincial and territorial human rights laws (in our case the Alberta Human Rights Act)
  • this is the legislation that is relevant to employment and employment practices.
  • the Alberta Human Rights Act (AHR Act) protects Albertans against discrimination in the following areas:
  • publications and notices
  • goods, services, accommodation and facilities
  • tenancy
  • employment practices
  • applications and advertising regarding employment
  • membership in trade unions, employers' organizations or occupational associations

References

To learn more, go to:
https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/eng/content/human-rights-in-canada

This project was made possible through funding provided by the Human Rights Education and Multiculturism Fund.

 

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