The Cambridge Dictionary defines a concentration camp as, “a place where large numbers of people are kept as prisoners in extremely bad conditions, especially for political reasons.” While no mention of Nazi Germany is made in this definition, names like Dachau and Auschwitz come to mind when we hear this term. How did the world…
Many people just want Rapinoe to shut up and play soccer because what she says and does makes them feel uncomfortable
America was built by bold people looking for a better life – for themselves and their brothers and sisters. That’s all U.S. women’s national team soccer player Megan Rapinoe is doing. She’s simply asking that, as a country, America live up to the last three words of the Pledge of Allegiance: “justice for all.”…
Canada, while imperfect, has worked hard to be open, tolerant and understanding in its beliefs and policies. The PM’s words don't reflect that
The outcome of the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls was going to be difficult for the Indigenous Canadian community – and Canadians in general. That much was always clear. What happened last week, however, changed the parameters of this discussion and led us down a rabbit hole we should have never…
Trudeau government’s global reputation at risk over how Canadian companies do business abroad
Earlier this year, Canadians were given a behind-the-scenes view on attempts by the federal government to ensure that SNC-Lavalin would escape potential criminal liability under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act. What may be less clear is that the government’s stance in this case is reflective of its broader approach to corporate accountability. The…
It’s time for advocates on both sides of the abortion divide to be true to their preferred monikers
There’s perhaps no more contentious topic of discussion in Canada than abortion. Even Canadian lawmakers are hesitant to debate the subject. As a high school teacher of a class called Social Justice 12, I can’t ignore the topic. And my code of ethics requires that I facilitate legitimate research and respectful discussion, all the while…
Every Canadian has the fundamental right to think and believe freely. But an Ontario court has sided with the suppression of the individual
Imagine being a feminist physician unshakable in your conviction that girls and women must be protected from patriarchal oppression. Now picture being asked to assist with a sex-selection abortion because daddy doesn’t want a female child and mother consents to his wishes. Up until May 15, reasonable Canadians would concur that you had every right…
The relatively low value Canadians assign to religious freedom and the tepid opposition to secularism laws are worrisome
Have we lost all sense of proportion when it comes to our fundamental rights in Canada? Two recent cases suggest we have. Both cases involve the notwithstanding clause in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which allows legislatures to temporarily bypass certain constitutionally-protected rights. Two premiers have sought to invoke the much-discussed clause recently. Yet…
We can be individuals who seek to change the world or people who choose to turn a blind eye to injustice
Those who advocate for human rights are often frustrated when crimes committed by those in power carry no apparent consequence. We need to remember, however, that truth never disappears. Roughly 100 years ago, Dr. Peter Bryce was commissioned by the Department of Indian Affairs to assess the health conditions at residential schools across Canada. What…
Canada is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Canada’s private refugee sponsorship regime. But alongside this record of welcome, some refugees are facing a closed door.
By Jamie Liew University of Ottawa and Shauna Labman University of Manitoba Canada is celebrating a milestone – the 40th anniversary of Canada’s private refugee sponsorship regime that has resettled 327,000 refugees. But alongside this record of welcome, some refugees are facing a closed door. Canadians most recently helped resettle thousands of Syrian refugees. Indeed,…
Jesse Canney's performance at the recent Special Olympics has been a catalyst for breaking down the barriers of marginalization
Jesse Canney did New Brunswick proud. He was a competitive swimmer at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. He returned to New Brunswick in late March with three gold medals – in the 1,500-metres freestyle, the 800-metres freestyle and the four-by-100-metres freestyle relay. He also won…