Statement from Minister Philpott and Minister Bennett on Human Rights Day

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (December 10, 2018) – The Minister of Indigenous Services, Jane Philpott, and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett, issued the following statement today:

“All Canadians deserve to have their voices heard, and their rights acknowledged and fully respected.

Today, on Human Rights Day, we celebrate the 70thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  This transformative document, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, outlines a standard set of inalienable rights to which every human being across the globe is entitled. The values of equality, justice and human dignity are enshrined in it.

Today we also recognize the groundbreaking work that the United Nations has done to protect the rights of the world’s most vulnerable people. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and The Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons have created new standards of inclusion, safety, and acceptance that Canada has been proud to implement.

The Government of Canada is committed to honouring and respecting the rights of all individuals and to building a stronger and more inclusive country. To our great shame, this has not always been the case. For generations, First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada were denied the right to self-determination and subjected to laws, policies and practices based on domination and assimilation. Indigenous peoples lost control over their own lives.

Our government is committed to ensuring that history does not repeat itself and that the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada are respected and upheld. We are committed to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. These guiding documents underscore the right of Indigenous peoples to participate in decisions that affect their social, economic, and cultural rights.

We will continue to work in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis based on the recognition of rights, respect and co-operation to advance shared priorities that will improve the overall health, safety, and well-being of Indigenous peoples.
Promoting and protecting human rights for Indigenous peoples and for all Canadians is a priority to advance reconciliation efforts.”