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Question 10: Values and CultureAre values such as human rights, democracy, respect for diversity and gender
equality ones that Canada should continue to advocate in all parts of the world?
If so, what are the best ways of doing this? |
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| Contributor: | 1876 |
| Date: |
2003-05-01 11:41:50 |
| Answer: |
Values such as human rights, deomocracy, respect for diversity and gender equality are entrenched in international human rights instruments such as the Convention for the Elimination of Racism, the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), as well as instruments regarding political rights and social and economic rights. Unlike trade agreements, which are enforceable in the courts, these instruments are not enforceable. They should be. Canada can best support these values through continuing its advocacy at the UN, and by financially supporting and consulting with NGOs in Canada and overseas.
However, Canada must also lead by example. This means addressing the outstanding issues in UN reports concerning Canada's implementation of these instruments. In particular:
* the economic, social and health status of Aboriginal peoples;
* the continuing economic and political inequality of women due to women's responsibility for unpaid work (child care, housework, care of elderly or disabled dependants. Research shows that the more time women spend on unpaid work, the less time they are able to spend on paid work, having a lifelong economic impact. Many Canadian women now do not qualify for maternity/parental leave under the EI program, as it does not cover contract workers, many part-time workers, self-employed workers. Women also make up the majority of minumum wage workers, who can barely live on their full salary, let alone 55% of it, which is what Canada's parental leave offers;
* the ongoing cycle of poverty which disadvantages many Canadians from birth. For example, poverty leads to higher infant mortality, low birth-weight babies (associated with increased rates of disability and health problems), reduced educational and employment options. There is a mismatch in Canada between the jobs that are available and the skills of Canadians.
Canada needs to take human rights, equality and social and economic conditions seriously at home. We could look at other countries' models, instead of trying to impose our own on others. Canada is fifth in the world in terms of gender equality. We could learn from the programs and social structures of the first four on the list (Sweden, Norway, etc.). Canada also has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the industrialized world. We could look at structures in countries with low rates of child poverty, learn from them, and share our findings with others. We should never assume we have all the answers. We need to work WITH others to improve human rights and well-being in Canada and around the world. |
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