The Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC)
The CHRC is the arms-length independent body responsible for administering the Canadian Human Rights Act. Its website is the best starting point for those looking to learn about how human rights law is enforced in Canada. The site provides an FAQ with plain language explanations of the Act and of how the commission works; its "Jurisprudence" section is a one-stop shop for landmark legal decisions involving the Commission; and its "Publications" section includes its special thematic reports as well as its financial reports and its reports to Parliament. Users can keep abreast of new decisions, reports, and policies by monitoring the "What's New" section. The site also maintains an impressive list of external links related to human rights law enforcement both in Canada and around the world. While some of the links are out of date, it is nonetheless a valuable starting point for anybody looking to learn more about human rights issues.
The Alberta Human Rights Commission
The Alberta Human Rights Commission provides a series of cases studies that show how complaints brought to the Commission are handled and resolved. Based on real complaints, the case studies are a great way for users to see how human rights legislation is used in the "real world." The case studies are organized thematically around each ground of discrimination protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act (e.g. race, gender, age, physical disability). While this makes the cases Alberta-centric, they are still valuable to anyone wanting a more practical perspective on how Canadian human rights law works.
The Canadian Heritage Human Rights Program
The Canadian Heritage Human Rights Program is responsible for promoting "the development, understanding, respect for and enjoyment of human rights in Canada." They are the body responsible for preparing Canada's mandatory reports to the United Nations. When a country ratifies a UN treaty or international covenant, it is required to submit periodic reports on how it implements the tenants of the treaty or covenant through domestic legislation. These reports can be found in the "Publications and Documents" section of the site and are one of the most valuable tools users have to see how the Government of Canada holds itself accountable to its own international human right obligations.
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
Where the CHRC acts as an enforcement arm of the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal acts as its court. The Commission forwards complaints to the Tribunal when they cannot be resolved between the parties involved. The Tribunal's site provides a comprehensive list of its rules and procedures, a searchable database of cases, decisions, and rulings, and annual reports and financial statements. The CHRT also provides a "Search Help" page that features hints and strategies for searching the site efficiently. The documents available on the CHRT website are invaluable to those looking to evaluate the Canadian government's ability to live up to its international human rights obligations.
The Canadian Human Rights Reporter (CHRR)
Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is a not-for-profit advocacy organization that promotes respect for human rights in Canada. The organization's resource page includes educational materials that teach Canadians how to assert their rights when dealing with the government. The site's homepage includes a "Rights Watch" RSS feed that monitors emerging human rights issues in the news. The CCLA's site is a good starting point for users who wish to gain an understanding of the ways NGOs combat what they view as abuse of state authority.
