In 2022, the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) marked its 45th anniversary. Since 1977, the Canadian Human Rights Act has given people in Canada a powerful tool to fight for inclusion, justice and equality. From recognizing 2SLGBTQI+ rights, to affirming the rights of Indigenous children, and creating a more accessible Canada, the Act has helped improve our country for the better.
After 45 years of progress towards being a world leader of human rights and equality, the reality is that far too many people in Canada continue to face discrimination and exclusion every day, both individually and systemically. Canada still has a long way to go on the road to inclusion. More must be done to include those still living in vulnerable circumstances. None of this can be solved with half measures. It will take a committed, concerted effort from all elements of Canadian society — Canadian governments, employers, service providers, organizations and people across Canada.
It was with all of this in mind that in 2022 we launched a campaign to mark the 45th anniversary of the CHRA, and to call for collective action — 45 calls in fact. One by one, we unveiled our 45 Calls for Inclusion over the fall of 2022. The final result is a national to-do list, a roadmap, to improve inclusion for all.
Most notably perhaps, is our final and 45th call for inclusion. It reaffirms that after 45 years, the CHRA must keep evolving with society, as it has over its history. In Call #45, we are calling for our founding legislation to be amended to better protect the socioeconomic rights of people in Canada. We will table our special report to Parliament on this very issue in 2023.
