povertyandhumanrights.org » social rights

The Role of International Social and Economic Rights in the Interpretation of Domestic Law in Canada

phrc — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:47:37 +0000

This Law Sheet, produced by the Poverty and Human Rights Centre, is concerned with the role that international human rights law can play in the interpretation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and other laws in Canada. It is intended to assist lawyers in their advocacy work before courts and tribunals. It is also intended to assist non-governmental organizations who rely on the human rights framework in their work to assist members of vulnerable groups. It is specifically focused on the domestic enforcement of social and economic rights.

For the United Nations human rights treaties there are two levels of adjudication and enforcement. First, United Nations treaty bodies review the compliance of countries that have ratified the treaties and receive and adjudicate petitions or complaints under the treaty. Secondly, within Canada, courts and tribunals provide another avenue for adjudication and enforcement of Canada’s obligations under international human rights law. this Law Sheet is focused on the second level. It explores how to use international human rights law in Canadian courts and tribunals.

The Role of International Social and Economic Rights in the Interpretation of Domestic Law in Canada (PDF)

Letter to the Prime Minister and BC Premier on welfare time limits

phrc — Thu, 05 Feb 2004 03:43:44 +0000

A letter written to Prime Minister Paul Martin and Premier Gordon Campbell, endorsed by 137 organizations, asking them to act immediately, together and separately, to ensure that legislation which imposes a twenty-four month time limit on eligibility for welfare in B.C. is rescinded before April 1, 2004, and that no similar provision is implemented in B.C. or any other province in future.

act immediately, together and separately, to ensure that

legislation which imposes a twenty-four month time limit on eligibility for welfare in

B.C. is rescinded before April 1, 2004, and that no similar provision is implemented in

B.C. or any other province in future.

Letter to the Prime Minister Paul Martin and Premier Gordon Campbell (February 2004)

The Right to Social Assistance: 14 Questions and Answers (October 2003)

phrc — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 23:17:53 +0000

British Columbia is the only province in Canada to place a time limit on

welfare eligibility. From diverse perspectives, many people are concerned

about the harmful results of this harsh and unprecedented new rule. This

report is a response to numerous requests that the Poverty and Human Rights

Project has received from concerned groups and individuals for an analysis

of the human rights implications of the 24 month cut off rule.

British Columbia is the only province in Canada to place a time limit on welfare eligibility. From diverse perspectives, many people are concerned about the harmful results of this harsh and unprecedented new rule. This report is a response to numerous requests that the Poverty and Human Rights Project has received from concerned groups and individuals for an analysis of the human rights implications of the 24 month cut off rule.

The Right to Social Assistance: 14 Questions and Answers (October 2003)

B.C. CEDAW Report: British Columbia Moves Backwards on Women’s Equality

phrc — Thu, 23 Jan 2003 04:25:24 +0000

B.C. CEDAW Report: British Columbia Moves Backwards on Women’s Equality, prepared by the Poverty and Human Rights Project for 12 women’s and anti-poverty organizations in British Columbia, submitted to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the occasion of the review of Canada’s 5th report on its compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Majority embraces stereotype of the poor (December 2002)

phrc — Sun, 01 Dec 2002 01:14:50 +0000

Majority Embraces Stereotype of Poor

by Shelagh Day

The majority decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in last week’s welfare rights case,

Gosselin v Quebec, is a disturbing one. Five judges endorsed a Quebec scheme that

consigned thousands of 18 to 30 year old welfare recipients to extreme poverty, and

found that it did not harm the human dignity of these poor young people.

The majority decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in last week’s welfare rights case, Gosselin v Quebec, is a disturbing one. Five judges endorsed a Quebec scheme that consigned thousands of 18 to 30 year old welfare recipients to extreme poverty, and found that it did not harm the human dignity of these poor young people.

Majority Embraces Stereotype of Poor

Recommendations to Heritage Canada regarding information that should be included in Canada’s 4th report to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (October 2001)

phrc — Thu, 25 Oct 2001 04:01:55 +0000

A letter from the Poverty and Human Rights Project to Heritage Canada on four issues which are of critical importance to the overall approach taken by Canada as a State Party to the implementation of economic and social rights in response to a request for input from non-governmental organizations into Canada’s fourth report on its compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

input from non-governmental

organizations into Canada’s fourth report on its compliance with the International

Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Recommendations to Heritage Canada regarding information that should be included in Canada’s 4th report to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (October 2001)