From: manz@ee.ualberta.ca (Brett {Druid Queen} Manz)
Subject: Re: Les/Gay Protection in Alberta (!)
Organization: University Of Alberta, Edmonton Canada
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 08:02:29 GMT

In <C0pns1.M62@ecf.toronto.edu> ambidge@ecf.toronto.edu (Chris Ambidge) writes:

>This is culled from CBC Radio News at 5pm 1993 01 11
>[I apologise right now for spelling mistakes in the names of politicians.
>I *don't* have them correct, I suspect, this is what they sounded like]

>Alberta is one of the few provinces in Canada that does not have sexual
>orientation as a prohibited ground for discrimination in its _Individual_
>_Rights_Act_.  

Alberta, Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories.

>It has a new premier, Ralph Klien,  and rumours have been
>going around that he would have the act amended shortly.

Ralph Klein talks through his hat.

>Recently, the Human Rights Commission [or whatever the body is called
>in Alberta] has announced that it *will* be accepting  complaints from
>lesbians/gays who feel they have been discriminated on sexual orientation
>grounds, even though it does not appear in the governing legislation.

They are taking it as writ.  To not do so, argues Dr Raffath Sayeed (acting 
chair) would contravene the Charter of Rights.


>The minister  responsible for the HRC, Ms Maiross (?sp -- Albertans, 
>please correct this), 

Dianne Mirosh.  Minister for Community Development.

>has said  that she  has questions as to whether
>the HRC has the power to investigate such complaints, and has asked the
>Attorney-General's ministry for an opinion on this.  A wrist-slap for the
>progressives at the HRC.  Ah, but it comes back on her.

>Today's news item was that the [brand-new] Premier of Alberta, Ralph
>Klein has been harrumphing about this action of his newly-appointed
>minister, and it surely sounds like a wrist-slap to her if not more.  Klein
>himself said that he believes the Commission *does* have the power, since
>"the  mandate was extended to coincide with the _Charter_" [that is, the
>_Charter_of_Rights_and_Freedoms_, which an  Ontario court  recently
>ruled should "read in" protection for gays and lesbians].

Ralphie seemed rather embarrassed by the incredibly ignorant statements
of Ms. Mirosh.  The Minister stated earlier that she thought the HRC
was giving Lesbians and Gays `preferencial treatment.'  She was
unaware, until informed by the interviewer, that the IRPA allready
covers race, religion, ethnic and economic background and gender but
*not sexual orientation.  She made statements that she was considering
dissolving the HRC (which is not within her mandate.)  She made all
these statements without consulting the Premier, for which he was
somewhat nonplussed.

>Ms Maiross was quoted as saying that the public thinks that gays have
>have too many special rights now (or have enough now, my notes are unclear).
>Klein said that he needs to talk to his minister so that they can clarify
>this.

>At the same time, Klein denied that he _promised_ to  change the 
>legislation.   The Alberta les/gay  rights pressure group claims that
>a campaign  worker for Klein in his recent election as party leader
>said that  he would change it within 6 months.  Today's version is that
>Klein promised to discuss items of mutual concern with the rights group.

White man speaks with forked tongue.  Film at eleven.

>Still-and-all, it sounds as if  progress is being made in Alberta, a
>jurisdiction that has a reputation for being rather conservative on 
>matters like this.  Hooray!

Indeed.  The bold move by the HRC is very welcome.  It would be nice
if the we had some backup from the government as well.
-- 
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