Canada has long held the title of a culturally diverse country built on a foundation of inclusivity. One would think a seemingly progressive country such a Canada would possess a system whose policies protect the dignity of its citizens. That, unfortunately, is not the case. The Canadian political, social, and economic system mask archaic policies that are not only unethical but also exploitative. These longstanding policies are intermittently tweaked to be more comprehensive as the case of increasing community legal aid funding. Such policy changes, when viewed superficially, seems revolutionary. In fact, if people were to read the headlines following the policy changes they would be impressed. However, after reading in-depth reports …show more content…
To this day Iranian women are normally chaperoned by their husbands or male relatives at night and they must cover their hair and body at all times in the public sphere. This all-encompassing oppression mirrors the injustices and discrimination indigenous women, people of color, and other minority groups, suffered at the hands of a patriarchal colonized Canadian society. This systematic discrimination is the basis of the access to justice problems that exist within racialized communities in Canada. A major component of access to justice is access to legal aid and fair representation. As stated above, Community legal aid is one of the few free legal services available to racialized communities, and it plays a pivotal role in reducing the barriers to access to justice on a local level. As a caseworker at Community Legal Aid, I have first-hand knowledge about the services provided to individuals who need representation at times when they feel the system is working against them. Two of the four cases I have worked on this semester involves a landlord taking advantage of the tenants while the other two center clients with mental health issues. The fact that two out of my four clients have mental health issues, and are facing criminal charges, is no coincidence. Individuals with mental health issues, people of colour, groups with low socioeconomic status, and other minority groups, are clearly
To what extent was Pierre Trudeau’s vision of a “just society” actually achieved in Canada in (and since) the 1970s? Canada is a just society because of the changes to women's legal rights, ethnic minority human rights, and multiculturalism.
Aboriginal persons in Canada have been facing oppression ever since colonization began. Even when Canada gained independence from the British Empire, the oppression continued and still goes on today. One major contributing factor to the oppression of Aboriginal people in Canada is the actions taken by the Government. The Government of Canada has in fact mistreated and found to be partaking in wrongdoing when dealing with the Aboriginal population in this country. With this ugly truth being revealed, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had to be tasked with discovering and revealing past wrongdoing by a government in the hope of resolving conflict left over from the past. (cite)
Since the colonization of Canada First Nations people have been discriminated against and assimilated into the new culture of Canada through policies created by the government. Policies created had the intentions of improving the Aboriginal people’s standard of living and increasing their opportunities. Mainly in the past hundred years in Canadian Society, policies and government implemented actions such as; Residential schools, the Indian Act, and reserve systems have resulted in extinguishing native culture, teachings, and pride. Policies towards the treatment of Aboriginal Canadians has decreased their opportunities and standard of living because of policies specified previously (Residential schools, the Indian Act, and reservation systems).
A closer in depth analysis into Canada’s justice system will show that their acceptance of all cultures did not leak through to the confinements of its courts. Why it is that one race or class is more likely to be an inmate? From a racial standpoint,
Immigration policies have been under fire for their racist under- or overtones. As Rees states, "Canadian immigration policy has historically always been determined by racial preferences." Institutionalized racism is a problem in Canada, in spite of the many official policies and programs designed to manufacture an equitable society. For example, Canada's Human Rights Commission and Employment Equity Act are both admirable but "Canada fails to fully implement" their guidelines (Song). Racial profiling is also a problem in the Canadian law enforcement and immigration sector. One study shows that Canadian residents who are African or black receive "harsher treatment" than white residents, and are also "overrepresented in police statistics of charges and arrests," (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants).
How often do we stop to think about the minorities of this country and how they become involved and are treated in the criminal justice system? I surmise; only some of us will concern ourselves with such details. For some like myself; we might work with individuals of the Aboriginal community or have interacted with members of this group whether through school or work. Canada “had an Aboriginal identity in 2011 of 4 % or 1.4 million people” (Kelly-Scott and Smith, 2015). Of this total there is a gross overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in Canada’s Criminal Justice System. This overrepresentation of Aboriginals in the CJS comes as a result of socio economic factors, sentencing reforms, systemic discrimination, education and employment and victimization of Aboriginal women. In partial fulfilment of this course, this paper will address the leading factors which has led to the overrepresentation of this group in the CJS.
No community in Canada comes into conflict with criminal justice system officials more disproportionately than Aboriginals (Dickson-Gilmore, 2011, p.77). Indeed, Aboriginal Canadians are often subject to both overt and unintended discrimination from Canadian law enforcement due in large part to institutionalized reputations as chronic substance abusers who are incapable of reform (Dickson-Gilmore, 2011, p.77-78). One of the more startling contemporary examples of this is the case of Frank Paul; a Mi’kmaq Canadian who was left to die in a Vancouver alley by officers of the Vancouver Police Department after being denied refuge in a police “drunk tank”. Not surprisingly, this event garnered significant controversy and public outcry amongst
The process of discrimination is still going on today even though the Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned the form of discrimination in race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. A major way this is taking place is through the court system . In the book, Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson a young and inexperienced lawyer fought to work for the poor. As Stevenson’s career moves on not only does he look to help the underprivileged, but he calls to action and fights the unjust justice system. While reading Just Mercy, I felt inspired to do something related with the justice system and working with disadvantaged clients. I believe the skills of a lawyer may be giving, caring and hardworking. As a potential new lawyer, I would fight for the disadvantaged and to bring attention of these issues to the forefront of the nation.
Canada today faces a major challenge when it comes to access to justice. The civil, criminal and family justice system has become very complicated, slow and extremely expensive for majority of Canadians. These issues are particularly glaring to low income earners, people with disabilities and other minorities. Canadian justice system have become incapable of providing solutions that can addressing problems brought to it. With the creation of the Canadian charter of right and freedom, access to justice became more of an equality issue. It moved from simply being the capacity to litigate, to the quality of outcome or outcome focused. While there have been efforts to reform the system, our courts continues to lack institutional structures that can address change and create a more equitable judicial system both in capacity and outcome.
It is believed that while all human kind may have had common beginnings in the millennia past, the course of human history prevents all races from reverting back to that common kind. It is further believed that the racism that subsists in today’s society does not exist in the same manner within Canada. While Canada is an egalitarian society, a close examination would suggest that the blunt historical and social truths of racism that are often smugly denied exist very much in Canadian society and have seeped into the Canadian criminal justice system. The racialization of crime, discriminatory policing, minority overrepresentation in prison populations and a blatant denial of justice are aspects of the system that taint much of its past and create a worried present. This paper argues against the prevalent Canadian defence of egalitarianism by establishing the presence of systemic discrimination within the Canadian criminal justice system.
Many will agree that the root of the horrendous conducts stipulated in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report is an old classical racism; but has this classical racism vanished or just done a cosmetic face lift over time? It would be naïve to think that the report in question had any impact on the basis of racism in Canada. Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada may have opened some eyes, but correspondingly, has not and cannot eradicated the source of racism, so as to stop racist based injustices from reoccurring. The probability of repeating such racism stipulated in TRC report looks feeble in today’s Canada, nonetheless a kind of modern racism which is complicated, hard to penalize, and is multi-dimensional, that has developed in the recent years, and needs to be addressed, exists. As defined contemporary racism is the
Racial discrimination in the workplace has been a persistent theme in Canada’s history as well as present-day times. The occurrence of actions and attitudes that impose a sense of one being less equal than another on the basis of one’s race in Canada’s workplace inhibits both our nation’s ability to move forward as well as strengthen unification within our country. The belief in a more egalitarian society, where one’s race and ethnic background have little to no impact on employees (or potential employees) standings within the job market, would seemingly be reinforced by the majority of Canadians, who consistently show support for Canada’s multicultural identity. Couple that with the noticeable strides Canada has made in the past several
The Saskatchewan INP allows the province to nominate individuals that they feel will benefit the labour market and enhance the economic growth of the province. In order to qualify for this program a candidate must be working in a skilled profession, trade or in demand job. They must also have a long term, full time job offer from an approved SINP employer in Saskatchewan. Processing times very for each category.
“Elham was eight years old when she first wrapped herself in a chador; the all-encompassing black cloth Iranian women wear to disguise their figures. She spent her entire adolescence under its heavy drape”. This was until she laid foot in Australia and freed herself from the gender roles and expectations of Iran, unveiling herself both theoretically and in practice. Similar to beauty ideals, my investigation also aims to identify whether gender roles and opportunities for power for Persian women have changed as a result of migration to Australia.
Alberta Mayes is a good client. She is often respectful to staff and often obeys staff’s request. During the course of working with Alberta, she has improved in many ways. For example, Alberta used to have trouble communicating her requests to the staff, and she used to give false accusations. Now, Alberta is giving her requests to staff confidently and clearly. She is also becoming more truthful. Alberta’s health has improved. Alberta is following the instructions of her nutritionist, by eating healthier and exercising. Alberta takes walks outside, and she enjoys going to her community center for games and activities. Therefore, She has loss weight, and she is living a much healthier lifestyle. Alberta also helps around the house. She