CANADA
Statement by
Hedy Fry, P. C., M. P.
Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
On thé occasion of thé UN World Conférence Against Racism,
Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
Durban, South Africa, September 1, 2001
Madame President, Ministers, Excellencies, mesdames et messieurs, senors y senores
- good evening.
On behalf of Canada, I want to thank thé government and thé people
of South Africa for thé dedication and hard work that went into putting
together this important and timely meeting - and for thé warm hospitality
of thé people of Durban. It is fitting that such a historic conférence
should be held here in South Africa, not only in memory of thé bitter
but heroic struggle of its people to rid themselves of thé virulent legacy
of apartheid - but also in tribute to a remarkable new democracy. A democracy
rooted in thé belief that diverse peoples can, through truth, forgiveness
and reconciliation leave behind a tormented past and achieve, respect and peace.
I can think of no greater aspiration or inspiration than that. Surely this is
why we have all come here - to build such a world for all our children.
Canadians are proud that we are today a bilingual, multicultural nation, whose
diverse people enjoy a remarkable level of prosperity, tolerance and social
cohesion, sharing common values of compassion and fairness. Nevertheless Canadians
would acknowledge that our history has not always been one of inclusion and
respect.
For a long time thé Aboriginal peoples of Canada faced displacement and
assimilation, which eroded their social, economic and governance structures.
We recognize that this has had a long term effect on Aboriginal peoples. Many
immigrants came to Canada to escape discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion.
Others faced these challenges on arrival. Perhaps it is because of their experiences,
thé mistakes we made and thé lessons we have learned, that Canadians
developed a strong vision of a just, tolerant and accommodating society - a
vision that has begun to be realized in our time. This vision has led us to
take our own path - to create a mosaic that honours and respects thé
diversity of our citizens. Our approach has been that equality cannot be achieved
by treating everyone thé same. For us, equality can only be achieved
through specific and appropriate solutions that address thé barriers
faced by individuals and groups: barriers created by discrimination based on
race, language, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation.
As a result, Canada's framework for equality is rooted in our Charter of Rights
and Freedoms. This document entrenches in our constitution a fundamental recognition
of thé equality of individuals. It forms thé backdrop for legislation
such as thé Canadian Human Rights Act, and thé Multiculturalism
and Employment Equity Acts. However, we have learned in Canada that legislation
does not necessarily guarantee change. It must be supplemented by programs and
policies that make it possible for all Canadians to participate in thé
social, political, economic and cultural life of our country. Those programs
and policies must be developed in partnership with civil society.
In preparation for this conférence, we consulted broadly with civil society
to understand thé scope of racism and discrimination in Canada and develop
thé responses required. We consulted with youth, women, communities,
NGOs and indigenous peoples. We heard of their experiences of subtle and not
so subtle racism and discrimination often because of multiple factors such as
race, religion, ethnicity, language, gender, colour, disability, sexual orientation,
and social or economic status. We also heard that multiple grounds of discrimination
compound racism, and particularly affect those communities who identify themselves
within a unique, complex interplay of religion, ethnicity and other factors.
Issues affecting aboriginal peoples were a particular focus of thé consultations.
And while thé quality of life in Aboriginal communities is improving
we remain concerned that living conditions are still well below those of other
Canadians. The Government is committed to working with Aboriginal peoples as
they strive to build a better future for themselves and their communities. We
recognize this commitment extends to a range of issues from resolving land claims
to addressing housing and health issues, to strengthening self-sufficiency and
economic development.
Canada's relationship with Aboriginal peoples will continue to evolve, to respond
to changing realities. We cannot afford to remain entrenched in old ways of
thinking, but rather, we must be guided by a mutual desire to see Aboriginal
peoples share fully in thé social, and economic opportunities of Canadian
society.
We also heard that visible minorities, in particular African Canadians, still
face barriers to full participation in thé economic life of Canada. Problems
with acceptance of foreign credentials by certain trades and professions may
constitute a compounding factor.
We realize that although Canada today has achieved remarkable success as a tolerant
and inclusive society, we still have work to do to achieve our goals - of a
diverse and democratic society - a society that can and must move beyond tolerance
to respect.
This is thé challenge that we face as Canadians.
Madame Chair, our présence at this World Conférence is proof of
our willingness to work with our fellow member states to combat racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
This conférence is a beginning - but it would be tragic if it should
lose its way.
Bitterness and anger, blame and recrimination narrow our vision and blind us
to thé greater goal, which is to leave our children a legacy of hope.
This Conférence is an opportunity for national and global introspection.
This conférence is an opportunity to develop effective, appropriate,
universal strategies to eradicate root causes of conflict. We are here - because
we believe that dialogue is thé key to understanding - and understanding
is thé first step to finding common ground that will lead to mutual respect
and peaceful co-existence.
We haard from Canadians that they want thé outcomes of this conférence
to be forward looking, action orientated and dedicated to developing practical
effective strategies to combat racism.
Madame Chair, there are many common issues on which we all can agrée.
We know that new technology, emerging patterns of migration and global trade
are changing thé way people interact. In particular, new communications
technologies such as thé internet are being used to promote hatred. Our
challenge is to eradicate messages of hate while preserving thé fundamental
right to freedom of expression and freedom of association.
As well, globalization is having a profound effect on how we relate to one another.
It could help us to understand each other better or divide us further. The choice
is ours. Developing concrete, forward looking measures to address all of these
issues will take cooperation and partnership. We thé governments of thé
world cannot do it alone. We need thé strength and wisdom of civil society
to guide us so we can
understand thé reality of their lives and to find effective solutions
to our common problems.
Youth are a key component of civil society. They view racism through a différent
lens. I heard earlier this week at thé youth summit that Governments
need to stop speaking to youth and start listening to them. They are thé
unes on thé front lines of thé struggle against discrimination.
They live and breathe thé challenges that people from our generation
have still not been able to solve. Governments need to recognize thé
rightful place of youth in thé dialogue so that we - together across
generations - will be able to tackle these difficult issues.
Madame Chair, let us resolve to move beyond exclusion to inclusion, beyond blame
to réconciliation. - beyond singling out any one nation and acknowledging
that human rights abuses and discrimination plague us all. To allow any one
issue to dominate at thé expense of all others is to silence thé
voice of thé many who are here to testify to their suffering. And it
sidelines thé UN at thé very moment when thé disaffected
are counting on it most. And let me emphasize, that this Conference will not
meet its crucial goals if we allow thé current situation in thé
Middle East to monopolize our discussions. It is clear that thé parties
themselves must take thé necessary steps to regain thé impetus
towards a negotiated peace. This conférence must avoid, and Canada will
not endorse, any language that does not serve this basic objective.
Madame Chair, slavery is a pernicious form of racism. Past or present it is
morally repugnant and an indelible stain on thé fabric of history. Tragically,
it is still being practised today.
This conférence challenges us to promote thé values that unite
us rather than divide us - to search for our common humanity as
peoples of a rainbow world. To acknowledge the past, but not be prisoner to
it. To recognize that our present and our future are ours to make.
Let us, as leaders, accept our responsibilities. Let us leave to our children
a legacy of freedom - not oppression. Of openness - not prejudice. Of generosity,
tolerance and respect for one another.
Madame Chair, as we meet here in the country of Nelson Mandela, the province
of Chief Luthuli and the City of Mahatma Gandhi, let us re-dedicate ourselves
to the vision they defended so valiantly - the vision of peace, dignity and
reconciliation. Let this, not division, be the legacy of Durban.