DABC has received the following information from the Department of Canadian Heritage (Government of Canada):

“On May 11, 2018, Canada appeared before the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) for its third Universal Periodic Review (UPR3), during which Canada’s human rights record was examined by other UN Member States. A record 107 Member States participated in the review, resulting in 275 recommendations for Canada to improve its human rights situation.

Canada must now provide a formal response to the UN HRC by the end of August 2018, indicating which of the recommendations Canada will and will not accept.

To inform Canada’s response, the Department of Canadian Heritage is inviting feedback on the UPR3 recommendations. Whether you’re part of a civil society organization or Indigenous group, a human rights professional, a student or an academic – or however you’re connected to human rights in Canada – Canadian Heritage wants to hear your perspective.

An anonymous virtual space was created to share your thoughts and ideas about the recommendations made to Canada under its third UPR. Here is the link to the site to participate in the Engagement on Recommendations made to Canada under its third Universal Periodic Review. The URLs will be accessible from July 17 to August 10, 2018.

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/engagement-recommendations-universal-periodic-review.html

Canadian Heritage is also encouraging participants to complete the sign-up form on the website to help us keep our contacts database up to date.

For further information, please see the UPR engagement backgrounder, or contact us at PCH.epudroitsdelapersonne-uprhumanrights.PCH@canada.ca.”

The BC provincial government announced today that it will be introducing legislative amendments to the Human Rights Code this fall, and establishing a new Human Rights Commission.

DABC is thrilled to hear this news and was pleased to be able to participate in the consultation process that was conducted in Fall 2017. Out of these consultations came a report, A Human Rights Commission for the 21st Century: British Columbians Talk About Human Rights. To read the report, please click here.

To read the BC government’s news release on the Commission, please click here.

A documentary about the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind will air tonight (July 27th) at 7:30 PM Pacific on Accessible Media INC (AMI TV).  It can also be viewed on the AMI smart phone app.

The Centre was founded by one of DABC’s Board members, Elizabeth Lalonde.