Program

Workshop themes

Workshop 1
Mediation in the field of human rights: advantages and challenges
Monday, June 15, 2009 – 10:30 – 12:00 and 1:15 – 2:45

The changes made to human rights agencies have resulted, in particular, in the definition of new approaches to intervention and conflict resolution. More specifically, mediation is increasingly favoured by many organizations across the country. After several years of experience with mediation, what are the results?

Can mediation meet the expectations of individuals, while protecting the public interest and supporting the evolution of law? What are the related advantages and challenges?

Presenters 
Charles Asombo, Université de Sherbrooke [Biographical notes ]
Pascal Mutombo, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse [Biographical notes ]
Fo Niemi, Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations [Biographical notes ]

Moderator
Roch A. Fournier, Canadian Human Rights Commission

Recorder
Lison Rouleau, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Workshop 2
Labour unions as key allies in the protection of human rights
Monday, June 15, 2009 – 10:30 – 12:00 and 1:15 – 2:45

In recent years, human rights case law has recognized the essential role played by labour unions. Labour unions are now required to deal with cases of workplace discrimination through their grievance and arbitration procedure.

How do they manage situations involving two unionized work colleagues?

What are the consequences of the new obligations for unions, and in terms of protection for their members?

How well prepared are the unions for their new role, and how effective are their internal training programs? What is the situation for grievance arbitrators?

What are the expectations of unions and other players concerning human rights agencies (in terms of training or support, for example)?

Should links be developed between unions and governmental human rights agencies? If so, how should they be developed?

Presenters 
Nicole de Sève, Centrale des syndicats du Québec [Biographical notes ]
Ghislain Hallé, École des Relations industrielles Université de Montréal [Biographical notes ]
Anne Pineau, Confédération des syndicats nationaux [Biographical notes ]

Moderator
Barbara Hall, Ontario Human Rights Commission

Recorder 
Michèle Turenne, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Workshop 3
Changing the world
Monday, June 15, 2009 – 10:30 – 12:00 and 1:15 – 2:45

By preventing litigation, making recommendations to government, providing training on human rights, investigating situations of systemic and individual discrimination, and defending cases before the courts, human rights agencies attempt to act as agents of social change.

What powers or actions could help increase the agencies’ impact?

Should the powers and actions be based on a pooling of experience or methods with other organizations?

Can examples of good practice be identified?

Presenters 
Pascal Paradis, Avocats sans frontières [Biographical notes ]
Nicole Filion, Ligue des droits et libertés [Biographical notes ]
Carole Fiset, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse [Biographical notes ]

Moderator 
Carey Majid, Newfoundland Human Rights Commission

Recorder 
Patrick Homier, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Workshop 4
Partners for success
Monday, June 15, 2009 – 10:30 – 12:00 and 1:15 – 2:45

Various organizations, including non-governmental organizations, intervene in the systems for upholding and protecting human rights, and have connections of various kinds with governmental human rights agencies.

What type of contribution do they make to the work of governmental human rights agencies?

Should their contribution be better defined, supported or supervised? What are the limits of their contribution?

Can any successful examples be identified?

Presenters 
Marc-André Dowd, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse [Biographical notes ]
Laurent McCutcheon, Fondation Émergence [Biographical notes ]
Cassie Palamar, Alberta Human Rights Commission [Biographical notes ]
Gordon Porter, New Brunswick Human Rights Commission [Biographical notes ]

Moderator
Rebecca McLellan, Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

Recorder 
Zakaria Lingane, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Workshop 5
In the eye of the storm: human rights and the economic crisis
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 – 10:30 – 12:00 and 1:30 – 3:00

The current economic crisis places even more pressure on human rights and freedoms, whether in connection with poverty, unemployment, access to equality or homelessness. The most vulnerable groups in socio-economic terms, including Aboriginals, women, immigrants, disabled persons, young people and the elderly, are harshly affected.

Which problems are most likely to be exacerbated by the economic crisis?

How can human rights organizations help reduce the impact of the economic crisis on the most affected groups? How can they help contribute to an economic revival without making human rights subservient to economic concerns?  

Presenters 
Claude Béland, Institut de recherche en coopération de l'Université de Sherbrooke [Biographical notes ]
Bernard Élie, Département des sciences économiques, Université du Québec à Montréal [Biographical notes ]
Bernard St-Jacques, Réseau d'aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal (RAPSIM) [Biographical notes ]

Moderator 
Krista Daley, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission

Recorder
Véronique Noël, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Workshop 6
Human rights and the environment
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 – 10:30 – 12:00 and 1:30 – 3:00

The deterioration of the environment affects people differently, depending on their socio-economic level and geographic location. Aboriginal people, in particular, are specifically concerned by environmental questions. In addition, the population in general sees its rights slipping away in connection with the environment, health, food safety, freedom of expression, and so on.

What is the current legal situation with respect to the environment, especially in connection with human rights?

Are the legal provisions sufficient? Do they allow human rights organizations to act?

What links could human rights organizations develop with environmental groups?

Presenters
Michel Bélanger, Nature Québec [Biographical notes ]
Steven Guilbeault, Équiterre [Biographical notes ]
Ghislain Picard, Assemblée des Premières Nations et du Labrador [Biographical notes ]

Moderator
Rock Beaudet, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Recorder
Thérèse Boullard, Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission

Workshop 7
Human rights and demographic change
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 – 10:30 – 12:00 and 1:30 – 3:00

Canada is facing major challenges in connection with demographic change. An increase in the number of new arrivals has created an ethnic, cultural and religious mosaic, sometimes seen by the majority as a threat to their “shared values”.

The aging of the population is accompanied by the growing impoverishment and isolation of the elderly.

Within the Aboriginal population, young people are in the majority, creating a degree of imbalance and a loss of points of reference.

Last, the manpower shortage has increased reliance on migrant workers with precarious status.

What impacts do demographic changes have on human rights?

How can human rights organizations help mitigate the impacts, or at least provide sufficient protection for the affected people?

Can any successful examples be identified?

Presenters 
Josée Goulet, Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec [Biographical notes ]
Pierreson Vaval, Équipe Rivière-des-prairies [Biographical notes ]
Jean-Claude Icart, Centre de recherche sur l'immigration, l'ethnicité et la citoyenneté, Université du Québec à Montréal [Biographical notes ]

Moderator
Shirley Sarna, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Recorder
Daniel Ducharme, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

Workshop 8
Ensuring recognition for economic, social and cultural rights in Canada
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 – 10:30 – 12:00 and 1:30 – 3:00

Canada has signed several international agreements enshrining economic, social and cultural rights. By ratifying the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, it has bound itself to progressively achieve the full realization of the rights recognized in the Covenant. However, the results so far have not necessarily met expectations. In Québec, the Charter of human rights and freedoms recognizes some economic and social rights as human rights, but does not give them precedence over other Québec legislation. In addition, the courts have difficulty recognizing that economic, social and cultural rights have actual legal force. Recognition for these rights must be strengthened, and this constitutes a major challenge for the coming years.

This workshop will look at the recognition of economic, social and cultural rights in Canada.

How does recognition vary from one province or territory to another?

What strategies can be used to promote recognition for economic, social and cultural rights?

What are the legal and socio-political possibilities and difficulties?

Presenters
Melissa Atkinson, Yukon Human Rights Commission [Biographical notes ]
Pierre Bosset, Département des sciences juridiques de la Faculté de science politique et de droit, Université du Québec à Montréal [Biographical notes ]
Béatrice Vaugrante, Amnistie international – Section canadienne francophone [Biographical notes ]

Moderator
Dianna Scarth, Manitoba Human Rights Commission

Recorder
Claire Bernard, Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse