This Canada Day marks 159 years since Confederation in 1867. As we celebrate, we should do more than reflect – we should recognize the extraordinary country we share and the human rights and freedoms that define this remarkable federation of 10 provinces and 3 territories.
Canada’s progress on human rights has not come easily. Freedom of expression, religion, peaceful assembly, and association – alongside democratic, legal, and mobility rights – have been hard fought. Equality protections that prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation are the result of decades of collective effort. Labour movements, too, have secured fair wages, safe working conditions, and essential protections for workers through blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifices.
None of this means Canada is perfect. While Canada has made meaningful progress, there is still important work to do. For example, access to clean and safe drinking water remains unequal, with many Indigenous communities still disproportionately affected by long-standing advisories. These gaps are not a reason to walk away – they are a call to action. Please take a moment to learn how your union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, is raising awareness about water related injustice in Canada by visiting the web link below.
This July 1, as we gather to celebrate, let’s recognize that the rights and freedoms we enjoy today have been hard won and earned through perseverance, sacrifice, and unity. Valiantly defended by the Veterans we serve as employees of VAC. They cannot be taken for granted. Let’s choose to listen to one another, address inequities, strengthen the inclusive and diverse society we share, and support the linguistic and cultural diversity that makes Canada stronger. Finally, let’s also reflect on the values behind our anthem when we proclaim, “The True North Strong and Free.” Because strengthening Canada, not fragmenting it, is how we advance justice. Therefore, let’s do our part to ensure that Canada remains, in every sense, strong, free – and united.
Happy Canada Day!
Gurm Bhangoo
National Human Rights Advisor
Union of Veterans Affairs Employees
Learn More: Public Service Alliance of Canda – Still Thirsty for Justice Campaign
The Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Still Thirsty for Justice campaign initiative [https://stillthirstyforjustice.ca/] highlights ongoing challenges and reinforce that water is a human right to be protected. In fact, in 2010, the United Nations General Assembly along with the United Nations Human Rights Council recognized that everyone is entitled to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use. Take a moment to read about this important campaign and how you can take action.
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Get Involved: Passionate about Human Rights related topics? Want to highlight Human Rights concerns? Consider writing on a topic of interest that we can share with fellow union members. To submit your idea or writing, or share your feedback: nhra@uvae-seac.ca.