1. Canada is a vibrant multiethnic democracy that enjoys not only an international, but a global reputation as a defender of human rights. Despite a strong record on core civil and political rights protections guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces longstanding human rights challenges. In addition, there is a resurgence of recent events that appear to contradict the over-arching impetus of many of the protectionisms in Canada.

Moreover, a recent spotlight on some police investigations are highlighting a trend toward questioning how certain segments of the population are being treated within the criminal justice system. To make some of these points more fulsome, have a look at the following articles and/or videos as you set up your mindset around this argument:

a. Bruce McArthur: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bruce-mcarthur-killer-toronto-police-1.5027132

b. Broken Trust - Thunder Bay Police Service and the Indigenous Youth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGuWIU6nIsY & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbWEuF99vZg

c. Tess Richey - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/two-police-officers-misconduct-tess-richey-1.4702502

d. Sexual Harassment Allegations - https://www.ctvnews.ca/w5/female-police-officers-come-forward-with-allegations-of-sexual-harassment-discrimination-1.4821765

2. After reviewing the articles and the videos above, refer to your textbook (Chapter 2) and the lecture on the topic of Human Rights Legislation and any other services and agencies that are designed to protect the public and in particular groups who are vulnerable.

3. Discuss the tension that clearly exists between what legislation exists in Canada and the fact that so many (as noted above and only a fraction of what is out there) cases are occurring in this province alone. In your discussion, I would like you think about:

a. Why is this happening in spite of all the legislation that exists. In other words, do you believe the legislation is working and more cases would occur or is there something more (or less) nefarious occurring?

b. Human rights laws and policies enshrine basic rights and freedoms. With the institutions that administer them, they protect both citizens and social justice. They support equality and respect for all citizens, regardless of their culture, race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, or physical or mental ability. If true, does the anonymity of social media allow people to espouse hate crime more freely? If so, do you think the laws and policies need to be updated to reflect the online world?

c. Finally, when looking at the global events in the news and the shift to a Geopolitical shift in the United States, is this providing license to speak freely that were once permeated by legislative policies. Is "cultural baggage" at play? Consider what Chapter 1 discussed about national policy and state ideology. If true, what is happening?

d. Overall, are human rights Optics vs. actionable?