UN assails Canada - again
May 8, 2006. 04:54 PM
CANADIAN PRESS

http://tinyurl.com/r6zkj

GENEVA -- A United Nations watchdog group has harshly criticized Canada for
its failure to live up to its commitments under an international treaty
that protects people's economic, social and cultural rights.

In a tough assessment, one of the committee's 18 independent experts noted
that "some situations (in Canada) had actually got worse" since Canada's
record was last scrutinized in 1998.

Canada is one of five countries being examined by the UN Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on its compliance with the
international covenant dealing with those rights. The committee's session
will also examine Monaco, Liechtenstein, Morocco and Mexico. Each of the
153 states that is party to the treaty, effective from 1976, has to submit
a periodic report to the committee.

The committee grilled Canada for two days, last Friday and again Monday,
about its record on poverty, homelessness, indigenous and migrant rights,
health and education. It found the government wanting in all areas.

"Many of the issues our committee raised in 1993 and 1998 are unfortunately
still live issues today," said Ariranga Govindasamy Pillay, an expert from
Mauritius. "Years later, the situation appears to be unchanged, and in some
respects worse."

"There is continuing homelessness and reliance on food banks, security of
tenure is still not enjoyed by tenants, child tax benefits are still clawed
back."

"The situation of Aboriginal peoples, migrants and people with disabilities
doesn't seem to be improving," Pillay said.

In presenting Canada's report, Alan Kessel, a legal adviser to the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, said Canada is
"proud of its record of achievement in the promotion of economic, social
and cultural rights."

Canada is at the forefront of promoting human rights internationally and
domestically, and "its efforts had paid dividends," Kessel said.

He noted the Canadian government provides income support for low-income
families with children through the National Child Benefit Supplement. He
said Canadians are among the best-housed people in the world and that most
"have access to housing of acceptable size and quality at affordable
prices."

Among the federal government's priorities, he said, are improved childcare,
lower taxes, health care and crime reduction.

But the committee challenged the Canadian delegation on a wide range of
issues, including Aboriginal rights. It specifically asked about the
government's failure to settle outstanding land claims brought forward by
the Six Nations and the Lubicon River Indians.

The experts also asked why young Aboriginal women are disproportionately
exposed to sexual assault and murder. They expressed concern regarding
discrimination against women under the Indian Act.

The Canadian delegation countered the criticisms by saying "it recognized
and affirmed land and treaty rights." It said it recognized "the inherent
right of Aboriginals to self-government."

Several committee members said they were disturbed by the lack of
investment in social programs and by continuing high poverty rates of the
most marginalized — including women, Aboriginal peoples, people of colour
and immigrants.

A group of about 20 non-governmental organizations representing a range of
human rights, Aboriginal, anti-poverty and womens groups attended the
hearings and provided the committee with studies that painted a bleak
picture of life in Canada for underprivileged people.

Vince Calderhead is with the Charter Committee on Poverty Issues, a
Canadian social advocacy group.

He said "social assistance levels are lower now than they have been in 25
or 30 years even though the government is trumpeting an improved economy."

The Canadian delegation said Canada is making progress on poverty
alleviation and believes that this is due to "Canadas support for
self-reliance for families and self-sufficiency" for those with
disabilities, Aboriginals, and the homeless.

It said "there had been a consistent downward trend in low incomes since
1996, and governmental programming was benefiting all Canadians."

The committee will formally issue its conclusions and recommendations on
May 19 when its session concludes.

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