Use the criteria below (and at least one criterion that you designed) to evaluate Canada's success in the recognition and protection of human rights.

• Canada has a fair, accessible and effective system of dispute resolution.
• All citizens regardless of sex, marital status, religion and sexual orientation (including children, Aboriginals, immigrants and the elderly) are entitled to equal treatment before and under the law.
• All Canadian residents and citizens, refugees and immigrants are protected from discrimination by individuals, corporations, government and members of the justice community.
• All members of the justice community uphold the rule of law and respect the rights and freedoms protected by law.
• The government is accountable to the rule of law.
• All citizens have a voice in the democratic process.
• All Canadians enjoy equal access to government services.
• Canada abides by its international obligations to protect human rights both domestically and abroad.

For each criterion, use specific examples to support your ranking.

Use theorganizerto track your use of evidence. It is very likely that one criterion may rank significantly higher or lower than another.

Gather more evidence for each criterion. You may wish to investigate:

• Specific cases - a useful website might bethe Canadian Human Rights Reporterorthe Ontario Human Rights Commissionorthe Canadian Legal Information Institute.
• Cases that focus upon groups with specific concerns such as:
  • Council of Canadians with Disabilities v. Via Rail Canada Inc. (2007), 59 C.H.R.R. D/276, 2007 SCC 15 or
  • Multani v. Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Comm. scolaire (2006), 55 C.H.R.R. D/463, 2006 SCC 6 or
  • York Condominium Corp. No. 216 v. Dudnik (1991), 14 C.H.R.R. D/406 (Ont. Div.Ct.).
• The use of solitary confinement and the treatment of prisoners.
• Actions of Canadian mining and garment companies operating overseas.
• Issues of youth justice.
• Access to health and legal services in the far north.
• Treatment of immigrants and refugees upon arrival in Canada.
• The Starlight tours.
• The Robert Picton case.
• Counterterrorism legislation.

Focus Question: How would you rank Canada's success in the recognition and protection of human rights?

Analyse all criteria in depth and present the evidence to support your opinion. Explain your overall initial ranking and your final overall ranking. Now you are ready to prepare your report card. The medium is your choice: slide show, movie, media report or story, podcast, mock interview, essay or report for example. Be creative. This task is distinct from others you may have tackled in the past as it asks you to see the criteria from both sides as is necessary in most legal issues. It is a sliding scale; therefore you will need to explain both the positive aspects and those areas of concern.