Ottawa — On August 25, 2023, the Black Canadian Civil Society Coalition (BCCSC) had the privilege of meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Dr. Tomoyo Obokata. In our relentless commitment to advocate for the full realization of human rights for Black Canadians, including all people of African Descent in this country, we engaged in a critical dialogue addressing contemporary forms of slavery affecting Black individuals in Canada.
During this pivotal meeting, we presented specific recommendations to the Special Rapporteur, shedding light on the historical economic enslavement of people of African descent in Canada's pre-, during-, and post-nation-building eras and its enduring intergenerational impact. Several of our key recommendations have been thoughtfully incorporated into the Special Rapporteur's UN Mission to Canada report, building upon our UNDPAD Policy Recommendation Report to the Canadian government earlier this year.
The UN Special Rapporteur has highlighted the urgency for the Canadian government to take decisive action in the fight against contemporary forms of slavery, aligning with Canada's position as a G7 country and a global leader in human rights advocacy.
Among the recommendations made by the UN Special Rapporteur are:
1. Legal Recognition: Recognition of people of African descent as distinct individuals within the Canadian Constitution and other legal and regulatory frameworks to enhance equal opportunities.
2. Inclusive Decision-Making: Inclusion of people of African descent in all decision-making processes that affect their lives.
The BCCSC extends its commendation to the Special Rapporteur for their comprehensive report, which delves into Canada's contemporary forms of slavery and the intricate web of underlying causes and consequences. We fervently implore the Canadian Government to treat these recommendations with the utmost gravity and diligence. People of African Descent in Canada face a double jeopardy of exposure to economic slavery based on historical and pervasive negative education to employment outcomes.
For People of African Descent, economic slavery is perpetuated by systemic forces that influence our social determinants of health, including:
- Adverse Health and mental health conditions
- Overrepresentation and pervasive exposure to precarious work and low-skill/low-wages employment opportunities
- Prohibition from affordable homeownership due to the cycle of poverty lived experience
- Lack of capacity to create and accumulate generational wealth
- Existence of social welfare systems that manifest conditions to effectively block low-income earners from escaping poverty
- Low or limited socio-political engagement, which dwarfs the ability to exercise legislative power through the democratic process
We urgently call upon the Canadian government to expedite the long-awaited Employment Equity Act Review release and promptly submit the proposed amendments to Parliament for expeditious deliberation.
In addition, the BCCSC maintains its steadfast advocacy for the designation of a distinct category for Black Canadians within the Employment Equity Act, thereby ensuring that employers do not unjustly exclude qualified Black candidates. This measure is vital to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering a more equitable employment landscape.
In addressing the concerns raised about the treatment of Indigenous and migrant workers, we recognize the intertwined struggles and injustices faced by various marginalized communities in Canada. While our immediate focus has been on people of African descent, we firmly believe in solidarity and collaboration with all groups advocating for justice and equality. We hope the Canadian government will take this opportunity to address the broader issues faced by Indigenous and migrant communities, as this aligns with our shared commitment to a more equitable and inclusive society.
Canada has a history of articulating high-level ideals and commitments without consistently translating them into concrete, enforceable policies and legislation aimed at eradicating contemporary forms of slavery and addressing their underlying causes and consequences. As a pertinent example, Canada has not yet ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. This omission is particularly significant, as underscored by the Special Rapporteur's report, which emphasizes the imperative for Canada to establish unambiguous pathways to permanent residency for all migrants. Such measures are essential to preclude the recurrence of abuses, as articulated by the UN expert.
The BCCSC remains resolute in its mission to champion human rights and eliminate contemporary forms of slavery. We eagerly await the Canadian government's response to the UN Special Rapporteur's report and stand prepared to collaborate toward a more just and equitable Canada for all.
For media inquiries, please contact: contact@bccsc.ca
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