Why now?

Alberta has a diverse population and there has been a dramatic rise in discrimination and hate crimes.

The rise of global movements like Black Lives Matter and Me Too have heightened public consciousness around persistent inequities and their structural roots. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on purposefully excluded populations across the world has made growing inequities impossible to ignore. Close to home, the unmarked children’s graves on Canadian residential school grounds highlights the lasting impacts of structural injustice. Calls for human rights action and community-led, structural change are increasing. The Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is in the ideal position to act. Yet, insufficient resources and capacity for education, advocacy, and community engagement amidst an increasing demand for individual complaint resolution, among other challenges, have limited the AHRC’s ability to effect meaningful change in human rights.

Alberta was once a leader in human rights protections in Canada. There is an opportunity to lead again. Now is the time.