Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Good afternoon, subcommittee members. It is a pleasure to be here.

People are often surprised to learn that Canada’s record of engagement with the international human rights system is problematic. Canada has ratified just over 70% of the main UN human rights instruments—at the University of Ottawa, where I teach, that would be a B minus—and none of the inter-American human rights treaties, which of course would be a failing grade. More critically, there are significant shortcomings when it comes to meeting those obligations. That is clear from recommendations from numerous UN human rights bodies, experts and processes—including the universal periodic review over the years—pressing Canada to more effectively implement the country's human rights obligations.

This is of concern on the home front, because failure to meet those obligations means failure to address serious domestic human rights challenges. It is also of concern internationally, because failing to comply with the obligations we impress upon other governments undermines vital diplomatic efforts.

The obstacles are many.

The first is the challenge of our federal system, with constitutional responsibility for particular human rights issues divided among federal, provincial and territorial governments.

The second is no clear political accountability for human rights. There is no minister of human rights at any level of government in Canada.

The third is reticence to recognize the equal legal standing of economic, social and cultural rights.

The fourth involves positions adopted in court by government lawyers that often downplay the applicability of international human rights law.

The fifth includes excessive secrecy, inadequate public reporting and poor engagement processes with indigenous organizations and civil society groups.

The sixth is the failure of Parliament and legislative assemblies to monitor international human rights compliance across the country.

The seventh is a failure to recognize the role of municipal governments and indigenous governments.

The eighth is insufficient resourcing for the processes and bodies integral to upholding international human rights.

In 2017, after decades of inaction, federal, provincial and territorial governments met to consider international human rights implementation. They established the Forum of Ministers on Human Rights, which met for the first time last year but which has yet to live up to its potential.

Speaking on behalf of all those appearing before you today, we recommend the federal government take the lead in working with provincial and territorial governments, indigenous peoples and civil society to develop a national framework for international human rights implementation as a priority for the next meeting of the Forum of Ministers on Human Rights. The framework should include clear public commitments to international human rights implementation from all federal, provincial and territorial governments; the adoption of federal, provincial and territorial laws—