Human Rights Tribunal on discrimination against First Nations children delayed
Dear Friends.
The January 19 hearing of the Canadian Human Rights Commission tribunal looking into discrimination against First Nations children by the federal government has been postponed until April 6. As the attached Toronto Star article explains, this is the second time in three months that the hearings have been delayed – and they may never get started if the federal government has its way.
On April 6, the tribunal will hear a motion by the federal Department of Indian Affairs to dismiss the complaint. This is not the first time the Government of Canada (GOC) has tried to prevent the case from being heard. In November a federal court set aside a previous GOC motion to dismiss.
The Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society are asking people to urge Prime Minister Harper to withdraw the current dismissal motion and to let the tribunal do its job.
More information about the complaint and the tribunal can be found at <www.fnwitness.ca>
Sincerely,
Ed Bianchi
Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
211-211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 6H5
613.235.9956 ext 221 / fax 613.235.1302
ebianchi@kairoscanada.org
www.kairoscanada.org
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‘Aboriginal child discrimination case delayed again’
Toronto Star – Jan 12, 2010
