Weakened or not, Alberta's human rights legislation protects
Albertans from overt bigotry and racism of the kind that flared up
in the 1920s and '30s. But the current Alberta government and
Cabinet include members who have spoken out forcefully against
human rights legislation and the principle that government has any
duty or business to try to influence public attitudes and
behaviour through legislation. The Tory caucus also contains a
probable majority, including the Premier, who appreciate the need
for tolerance, acceptance, and understanding supported by
legislation, but we can at least ask whose influence was behind
the recent changes in Alberta's human rights legislation -including the decision to have the Alberta Human Rights and
Citizenship Commission report to a minister, instead of to the
Legislature as it did under the IRPA-and whether there may be
further changes in the future.
As a democrat, one cannot begrudge anyone the right to state and
advance unsavoury views. But equally, as a democrat, one has the
duty not to deny that such views exist among people who have
influence in government.
Last month, people around the world marked the 40th anniversary of
the March 21, 1960 "Sharpeville Massacre," when peaceful
demonstrators against South Africa's apartheid policy were gunned
down by government troops. The event is commemorated annually,
under United Nations sponsorship on March 21, as the International
Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Such days are
needed, but eliminating racial and other forms of discrimination
is not a one-day-a-year job. It's a full-time lifetime
responsibility.
Like the poor, (perhaps), people of ill will will always be with us.
The poor, unfortunately, seem to get poorer; the intolerant seem
only to get smarter. And not nearly so funny.
Heritage Community Foundation Presents
