Native human rights most at risk, poll finds

OTTAWA -- Nearly one in four Manitobans thinks aboriginal Canadians get the roughest ride when it comes to protecting their human rights, a new survey shows.

But less than half think the Canadian government owes aboriginal peoples an apology or restitution for past wrongs and nearly two-thirds believe Canada has already done enough to address the wrongs committed against aboriginals in Canada.

Just ahead of the seventh annual Pierre Trudeau Foundation conference on human rights in Winnipeg this coming weekend, Environics conducted a poll probing Canadians' attitudes to human rights.

The poll was done by phone between Sept. 29 and Oct. 21 and is considered accurate within 2.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

According to the findings, 24 per cent of Manitobans said aboriginals were the most vulnerable to having their human rights abused, higher than in any other province. Nationally, 15 per cent of Canadians held that opinion.

However, 61 per cent of Manitobans, compared to 47 per cent of Canadians nationally, feel Canada has done enough to address the wrongs committed against aboriginal peoples.

Also, 47 per cent of Canadians nationally said aboriginal peoples deserve an apology or restitution. In Manitoba, 44 per cent held that view.

Among Manitobans who feel Canada should do more to address the wrongs committed against aboriginal peoples in the past, 16 per cent want more economic support for reserves, 16 per cent want better educational opportunities and 11 per cent want Canada to settle outstanding land claims.

Overall, 58 per cent of Canadians feel the current government should be responsible for addressing human rights violations committed in the past. In Manitoba, that figure is 50 per cent.

Trudeau Foundation president Pierre-Gerlier Forest said he found it pleasantly surprising so many peoples feel today's leaders should be responsible for the actions of past authorities.

He said he was happy to see issues such as the right to clean water, health care and basic food and shelter are deemed important to Canadians across generations.

"There is still an appetite for social justice that I find quite encouraging," Forest said.

When asked what rights should be guaranteed in Canada, 87 per cent said the right to a basic income for food and shelter, 96 per cent said the right to clean water, 96 per cent said health care and 92 per cent the right to practice the religion of one's choice.

One concern arising in the poll is the clear lack of understanding Canadians have about the impact of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Nearly 30 years after it became law, just 15 per cent of Canadians said everyone's rights are better protected and eight per cent believe the Charter had no impact whatever. Five per cent of Canadians think the charter went too far and ties up the courts.

Forest said Canadians clearly don't really know what the charter did, but he said the poll shows Canadians still think it's important.

"It's like the Canada Health Act," Forest said. "Most peoples don't have a clue what it is supposed to achieve, but they believe it is important."

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca

Rights and responsibility

Which groups do you believe are most vulnerable in terms of lacking protection of their human rights? (Manitoba in brackets)

Aboriginal peoples 15% (24%)

Poor people 15% (6%)

Immigrants 13% (15%)

Youth 12%(13%)

Seniors 11%(7%)

Visible minorities 6% (3%)

Are current Canadian governments responsible for addressing human rights violations committed in the past? (Manitoba in brackets)

Yes 58% (50%)

No 34% (41%)

Has the federal government has done enough to address the wrongs committed against aboriginal peoples in Canada? (Manitoba in brackets)

Yes 47% (44%)

It needs to do more 44% (30%)

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 16, 2010 A7