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Remarkable Contrast in Headlines for Two Free Press Human Rights Stories

Jan 28, 2016

Stories featured in January 29th print edition of the Winnipeg Free Press dealt with about recent advances in human rights. One headline celebrates a courageous champion. The other headline focuses on the cost of complying with human rights obligations.

Here's the letter we just submitted to the paper's editor (note that the links are to the online version of the paper that feature slightly different headlines):


What a striking contrast in the headlines for two human rights stories featured in the January 28th print edition.

Mia Robson’s article celebrates Cindy Blackstock as a civil rights heroine in “A Champion for Canada’s indigenous children” (A4) for her determined and courageous leadership in forcing the federal government to fulfil their longstanding charter and human rights responsibilities.

On the other hand, the headline for Nick Martin’s article (“Accessibility to cost millions” - B1), focuses on the costs that Manitoba school divisions may face in fulfilling their charter and human rights responsibilities. Not surprisingly, the cost faced by those divisions that have worked hard to meet these obligations over the last decade will be considerably less than the divisions that have not yet made this a priority.

And yes, The Accessibility for Manitobans Act now requires that school divisions and other public sector bodies hold public meetings that are accessible to all Manitobans. It is alarming that some public sector bodies would find this a novel concept given that The Charter of Rights and Freedoms became law 34 years ago.

One can only imagine that the federal government officials that fought the $8.5M legal battle against equitable funding for First Nation families and children were overwhelmed by a concern for cost avoidance and heavily discounted the fundamental principles and values that form the basis for human rights. Let’s hope that we can all learn something from that shameful debacle.

Patrick Falconer
Consultant to Barrier-Free Manitoba

Winter and summer picture

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