Advocacy & Research

Implementation of International Human Rights in Canada

Challenging the implementation gap: the ongoing struggle

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For Discussion

Draft International Human Rights Implementation Act

Key Publications & Reports

Dubious Dualism: The Reception of International Law in Canada (2010) Gib van Ert — 44 Valparaiso University Law Review 927–934
Mind the (Implementation) Gap: How Realize the Right to Housing (2019) Elizabeth McIsaac
Closing the Implementation Gap: Federalism and Respect for International Human Rights in Canada (2023) Alex Neve
In Search of Political Will: Strengthening Canada’s Mechanisms for the Domestic Implementation of International Human Rights Commitments (2024) Alexi White
Enhancing the Implementation of Human Rights Treaties in Canadian Law: The Need for a National Monitoring Body (2012) Amissi Melchiade Manirabona and François Crépeau

Access to Justice and Effective Remedies

CCPI Submission for Canada's 4th UPR
SRAC/ESCR-Net Submission for Canada's 4th UPR

Civil Society Advocacy

Letter to Ministers Responsible for Human Rights (FTP 2020)
Lettre aux Ministres des droits humains (FTP 2020)
Amnesty International Letter, Nov 2020 FPT HR Meeting
Moving Forward: A Vision for Strengthened International Human Rights Implementation in Canada (FPT 2017)
Aller de l’avant : Une vision pour un renforcement de la mise en application des droits humains internationaux au Canada (FPT 2017)
FPT Ministerial HR Meeting follow up 2018
Letter to Minster Rodriguez regarding FPT meeting follow-up 2018
Empty Words & Double Standards NGO Coalition Statement - Canada UPR 2012
Paroles Creuses et Deux Poids Deux Mesures UPR 2012 Francais
Promise and Reality: NGO Statement on Implementation 2008
Les Promesses et la Réalité 2008 francais

Government Documents

Canada’s Comments on Draft General Comment No. 36: The Right to Life Government of Canada — Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Common Core Document of Canada Canada’s Core Document for international human rights treaty reporting
Statement of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Human Rights following their meeting in Halifax (2017)
Statement of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Human Rights following their virtual meeting (2020)
Statement of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Human Rights following their meeting in Halifax (2023)
The Federal Human Rights Implementation Framework Canadian Heritage
Engagement Strategy on Canada’s International Human Rights Reporting Process (2022-08-01)
Protocol for Follow-up to Recommendations from International Human Rights Bodies

International Documents

Thematic Guidelines for Eradicating Xenophobia towards Migrants and Others Perceived as Such CERD Joint General Recommendation No. 39 (2025) / CMW General Comment No. 8 (2025) — CERD/C/GC/39–CMW/C/GC/8
General Comment No. 31: The Nature of the General Legal Obligation Imposed on States Parties to the Covenant (2004) UN Human Rights Committee — CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.13
General Comment No. 33: Obligations of States Parties under the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights UN Human Rights Committee — CCPR/C/GC/33
National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up OHCHR, Instruments & Mechanisms