Canada: Discrimination against First Nations

Written on 23 February 2012. Posted in Canada

During Canadas periodic review in February over 20 Indigenous nations and organizations, are holding Canada accountable and CERD has delivered scathing criticisms over the government's treatment of First Nations and recent changes to the country's immigration system. Members on the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, questioned why headway has not been made in resolving the ongoing disparities between First Nations communities and the rest of the country. An "Alternate Report" was submitted by the Chiefs of Ontario to identify gaps, misrepresentations, and assumptions made in Canada's official report. It is stressed that the observations and recommendations made within the Alternate report are by no means new. Indigenous nations and organizations have been raising awareness and advocating action on these priorities for years.