Category Archives: Human Rights

Seismic Shift: The Notwithstanding Clause and Litigation on the Rights of Trans and Gender Diverse Youth

By: Jennifer Koshan

Case Commented On: UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity v Government of Saskatchewan, 2024 SKKB 23 (CanLII)

PDF Version: Seismic Shift: The Notwithstanding Clause and Litigation on the Rights of Trans and Gender Diverse Youth

ABlawg has been following the introduction of government restrictions aimed at trans and gender diverse youth since last fall (see here and here). The latest development comes from Saskatchewan, where on February 16, the Court of King’s Bench permitted a constitutional challenge by UR Pride to proceed despite the government having invoked the notwithstanding clause in section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Continue reading →

Gender-Affirming Names and Pronouns, Parental Control, and Family Violence

By: Jennifer Koshan

Policy Proposal Commented On: United Conservative Party, Annual General Meeting Policy and Governance Resolutions, Policy Resolution 8 (November 2023)

PDF Version: Gender-Affirming Names and Pronouns, Parental Control, and Family Violence

Content Warning: This post contains descriptions of family violence and gender identity abuse.

At the United Conservative Party (UCP)’s recent annual general meeting, party members voted on a number of policy proposals. Policy Resolution 8 was “almost unanimously” supported, and would “[r]equire Teachers, Schools, and School Boards to obtain the written consent of the parent/guardian of a student under the age of 16 prior to changing the name and/or pronouns used by the student” (United Conservative Party, Annual General Meeting Policy and Governance Resolutions at 38 (UCP Resolutions)). In a similar vein, Policy Resolution 17 would require the government to “[s]upport a comprehensive Bill of Parental Rights which ensures that all legislation will recognize and support parents’ rights to be informed of and in charge of all decisions to do with all services paid for by the province, including education and health care” (UCP Resolutions at 49). The Minister of Education, Demetrios Nicolaides, recently stated that the government is having an “active conversation” about this matter. Continue reading →

John v Edmonton Police Service: Guilty of Being a Black Man

By: Amy Matychuk

Case commented on: John v Edmonton Police Service, 2023 AHRC 87 (CanLII)

 PDF Version: John v Edmonton Police Service: Guilty of Being a Black Man

This is a comment on a decision on a complaint made under s 4 of the Alberta Human Rights Act, RSA 2000, c A-25.5, that the Edmonton Police Service discriminated against the complainants on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, or place of origin.

The Black complainants, Yousef John and Caesar Judianga, were roommates who chased a White woman they witnessed smash a car window. Their other roommate, also a Black man, restrained the woman while one of the complainants called the police. When the police officer arrived at the chaotic scene, he believed the complainants were possibly engaged in criminal behavior and used force to gain control of the situation. The police officer directed most of the force he used against the Black complainants rather than the White woman. Tribunal Member Erika Ringseis of the Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC) found that the complaint was made out against the Edmonton Police Service. Continue reading →

Webber Academy II: Balancing Religious Discrimination and Freedom from Religion in the Provision of Educational Services

By: Howard Kislowicz and Jennifer Koshan

Case Commented On: Webber Academy Foundation v Alberta (Human Rights Commission), 2023 ABCA 194 (CanLII) (Webber Academy II)

PDF Version: Webber Academy II: Balancing Religious Discrimination and Freedom from Religion in the Provision of Educational Services

In the 2011-12 school year, Sarmad Amir and Naman Siddique (“the Students”) were denied prayer space at Webber Academy, where they had recently enrolled as grade 9/10 students. As observant Sunni Muslims, they prayed five times a day, which included school hours at some times of the year. Staff initially allowed the Students to pray in empty offices or classrooms; however, when the head of Webber Academy, Dr. Neil Webber, became aware of the situation, he informed the Students’ parents that prayers could only be performed off campus, or on campus without bowing or kneeling. The explanation was that Webber Academy did not provide physical accommodations for students of other religions to practice their faith, and that the Academy is a non-denominational school. The Students’ parents were also advised that because they had not followed the school’s policies, the Students would not be enrolled for the following year. Continue reading →

Grounding the Alberta Human Rights Act and the Proposal to Protect Vaccination Status

By: Jennifer Koshan and Jonnette Watson Hamilton

Legislation Commented On: Alberta Human Rights Act, RSA 2000, c A-25.5

PDF Version: Grounding the Alberta Human Rights Act and the Proposal to Protect Vaccination Status

The Alberta Human Rights Act (AHRA) has been in the news lately as a result of Premier Danielle Smith’s announcement – consistent with her platform for leadership of the United Conservative Party and its promise of no more lockdowns – that she would seek an amendment to the AHRA to add vaccination status as a ground protected from discrimination (here, here and here). In her mandate letter to Minister of Justice Tyler Shandro, released on November 10, 2022, Smith included as her second priority – second only to a Sovereignty Act – the instruction to “take any necessary legislative or regulatory steps to prohibit discrimination on the basis of COVID-19 vaccination and/or booster status.” Continue reading →