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The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed tensions between the need for bold public health measures and human rights such as freedom of movement and association, non-discrimination (with elder persons facing stricter restrictions to their freedom of movement), and privacy. While emergency measures always raise such tensions, this unprecedented situation is on a much broader, deeper scale. Have restrictions to human rights, in the context of COVID-19, been proportionate to the risks so far? Under the cover of public health, have vulnerable and marginalized people, including the elderly, refugees, migrants, homeless people, and religious and ethnic minority communities, been victimized or discriminated against? Has access to justice suffered? Digital tools that track and monitor the behaviour and movements of individuals, in order to help prevent the spread of the disease, also raise questions about whether they can be compatible with individuals’ right to privacy and with a free and democratic society more broadly.

Spaces of Engaged Leadership: Leading Canada’s human rights response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Governments at all levels have moved with exceptional speed to slow the spread of COVID-19. While the COVID-19 outbreak is creating challenges for everyone in our society, it is particularly difficult for those living in vulnerable circumstances. People living in poverty, women and children fleeing domestic violence, people living in shelters, on the street or at risk of homelessness, people with disabilities or those with health conditions, people with mental health issues, older people living alone or in institutions, and people in correctional institutions must not be forgotten or ignored. The rise of racism since the start of the pandemic is also deeply concerning. This is both an issue of public safety and fundamental human rights. Equality, dignity and respect must remain at the centre of our advocacy efforts. Human Rights Commissions across Canada are finding new and different ways to collaborate, communicate and continue to do our important work. This engaged leadership session will provide an opportunity to discuss: What are the most pressing human rights issues arising from this health crisis? How should decision-makers respond to meet these challenges?  What advice can we offer about leading an organization during a time of crisis? 

This session will focus on the COVID-19 pandemic’s implications for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in Canada. This session, like all Emergence sessions to follow, is open to the general public. However, the corresponding debrief taking place that afternoon will be a community-only discussion led by our Scholars. As recognized by Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across the country are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19 due to long-standing social inequities, including the lack of access to health-care services and clean water in many rural reserves; the overcrowded living conditions on First Nations reserves; and the higher rates of problematic health conditions in these communities.