2 | | 3 2 | | 3 About the Authors: Shawn Friedenberger graduated from the University of Alberta with his Master’s De- gree in Political Science in 2001. Shawn has done extensive work in the field of urban government and has worked under some of Canada’s most noteworthy scholars in areas of urban economic development, public policy and municipal ethics. Among the many awards Shawn has received include the City of Edmonton Scholarship for Academic Achievement and Dedication to Local Government. Shawn was hired by the John Humphrey Centre in April of 2003 as Program Coordinator for the Human Rights City Edmonton Project. Satpal Singh Bhurjee was awarded his Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Alberta in the fall of 2003. Satpal has travelled extensively around the world representing the University of Alberta at two Model Organization of American States’ Conferences. Satpal has a solid foundation in the field of International Rela- tions and actively participates in local, national and federal politics. Satpal was hired by the John Humphrey Centre as Research Coordinator for the Human Rights City Edmonton Project in April of 2003. 4 | | 5 4 | | 5 This Project is made possible through the generous support of the Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada/Patrimoine canadien, gouvernement du Canada. 6 | | 7 6 | | 7 “ I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for out contribution to the human spirit. ” John F. Kennedy 8 | | 9 8 | | 9 Human Rights City Edmonton Project: Acknowledgements Shawn Friedenberger and Satpal Bhurjee would like to acknowledge and thank all those individuals who assisted in the preparation of this report. Many thanks are extended to Melanie Cook, Jill Goldberg, and Berberita Patone for their valuable contributions in writing, editing and design of this feasibility study. A special thank you to Mr. Jack O’Neill for his guidance and support throughout this project. Last but not least, Shawn Friedenberger would like to thank Mr. Gerald Gall for his assistance and encouragement during the writing of this document and for the commitment and passion he brings with him each day in his efforts to make Edmonton a better place to live. 10 | | 11 10 | | 11 Moving Forward The Human Rights City Edmonton Project Principal Writer and Program Coordinator Shawn Friedenberger Principal Writer, Human Rights Inventory and Research Coordinator Satpal Singh Bhurjee Table of Contents – Human Rights City Edmonton Final Report 17 | Section I – Executive Summary/Introduction • The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights • Methodology • Community Response • Background- The John Humphrey Centre: Promoting Hope for a Peaceful World The PDHRE: An Invaluable Partner • What Does It Mean to be a Human Rights City? • Edmonton as a Feasible Human Rights City: A Clear Objective • Human Rights Cities: Why Edmonton? • Phase One: The Creation of a Human Rights City Strategy • Putting Human Rights Into Context • Consulting the Community: Edmonton’s Response to the Human rights City Edmonton Project • Endnotes- Introduction 39 | Section II – John Humphrey Centre Community Consultations A: Edmonton’s Aboriginal Community: A Plea for the Most Basic Human Rights • What the Aboriginal Community Said • Homelessness • Aboriginal Peoples and Local Government • Employment Equity • The Muskwachees Declaration • Aboriginal Women • Discrimination Within Aboriginal Communities • Conclusion • Endnotes- Aboriginal Community of Edmonton • * John Humphrey Centre: Key Recommendations 49 | B: The City of Edmonton: Promoting What we Already Have • The City of Edmonton: Helping the Homeless • The Municipal Government: A Plan for the Future? • Programs in Play • Learning From Other Municipalities • Strained Budgetary Concerns • The Need for Cooperation • Conclusion • Endnotes- The City of Edmonton • * John Humphrey Centre: Key Recommendations 66 | C: The City of Edmonton’s Disabled Community: Seeing Edmonton Through the Same Lens • Overall Progress • Edmonton’s Disabled Community • Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped- AISH 14 | | 15 • Employment Opportunities • Transportation • Conclusion- Edmonton’s Disabled Community • Endnotes- Edmonton’s Disabled Community • * John Humphrey Centre: Key Recommendations 77 | D: The Edmonton Police Service: Striving to Serve All Citizens • Community-Based Policing • Contact with the Community • Educating Edmontonians • The Role of Local Media • Dealing with Hate and Bias Crimes • Conclusion- Edmonton Police Service • Endnotes- The Edmonton Police Service • * John Humphrey Centre- Key Recommendations 90 | E: Edmonton’s Gay and Lesbian Community: A City for All • Inclusion • The Need for Support Systems • Protection From Discrimination • Discrimination in the Workplace and Other Settings • Being Recognized as a “Human Being” • Conclusion- Edmonton’s Gay and Lesbian Community • Endnotes- Edmonton’s Gay and Lesbian Community • * John Humphrey Centre- Key Recommendations 97 | F: Edmonton’s Labour Community: The Right to Fairness • Certifications • The Right to Strike • Bill 27 • The Protection of Worker’s Rights and a Healthy Labour Climate • Alberta’s Flawed Labour Laws • Pay Equity • What Can Be Done? • Possible Models? • Conclusion- Edmonton’s Labour Community • Endnotes- Edmonton’s Labour Community • * John Humphrey Centre- Key Recommendations 14 | | 15 115 | G: Edmonton’s Multicultural Community: The Price of Poverty • Poverty • Children and Poverty • Income Inequality • Health-Related Issues • New Ways of Solving Problems • Developing Partnerships • Leadership • Conclusion- Edmonton’s Multicultural Community • Endnotes- Edmonton’s Multicultural Community • * John Humphrey Centre- Key Recommendations 130 | H: Edmonton’s Public and Catholic School Systems: Supporting Education and Diversity • Education as the Key to Competitiveness • The Essential Role of Teaching Diversity • Putting Words Into Actions • Edmonton’s School Boards: A Challenge to our City and Province • Conclusion- Edmonton’s Public and Catholic School Systems • Endnotes- Edmonton’s Public and Catholic School Systems • * John Humphrey Centre- Key Recommendations 142 | Section III – Human Rights City Edmonton Inventory Supplement • Introduction • Review of Research and Programs Issues a) Aboriginal Issues b) Disabled Persons c) Education and Learning d) Family Issues e) Gay and Lesbian Issues f) Housing Issues g) Labour and Employment Issues h) Legal Resources i) Media Issues j) Mental Health Issues k) Multicultural Issues 16 | | 17 l) Poverty and Economic Issues m). Prostitution Issues n) Racial Discrimination o) Religious Issues p) Seniors’ Issues q) Settlement Issues r) Social Planning s) Violence Issues t) Women’s Issues u) Youth Issues v) Endnotes- Literature Review 200 | Section IV – Conclusion- Edmonton: A Time to Take Action 206 | Appendix I – List of Participants/Contact Information 217 | Appendix II – Muskwachees Declaration 16 | | 17 | 19 Human Rights City Edmonton Pilot Project Executive Summary Human Rights City Edmonton Pilot Project Executive Summary The City of Edmonton is building individual and community capacity by becoming a more inclusive city. As the city approaches its 100-year anniversary, the city has much to look forward to- especially in the area of human rights. The following report | 19 describes Edmonton’s progress towards a community built on respect and equality for all- community building to address various issues of human rights in the capital city. In 2003, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, an Edmonton- based non-governmental organization (NGO) formulated a plan to make Edmonton a more open and understanding city. After four months of planning, Phase I of the Human Rights City Edmonton Pilot Project (HRCEPP) was set in motion to explore how Introduction best to create a city where education on diversity and human rights would become a day-to-day activity for the citizens of Edmonton. Phase I of the HRCEP consisted of a Program and Research Coordinator as well as members of community groups, government representatives and ordinary citizens. In response to the needs of a changing city, the HRCEPP championed the develop- ment of a proactive strategy to create an environment that is inclusive, mutually respectful and equitable for all citizens of Edmonton. This community-based initia- tive will only succeed through sustained ownership and development by all Edmon- tonians working together to achieve these goals. In May 2003, the Coordinators of the HRCEPP Project began the task of carrying out consultations with all segments of Edmonton’s diverse community. At these consultations, the coordinators of the pilot project used the feedback given by leaders and advocates from all sectors of the com- munity to devise action plans for dismantling systematic barriers in Edmonton. This report chronicles these processes and outcomes from the voices of Edmontonians who are immersed in human rights issues on a daily basis. The John Humphrey Centre Significantly, the Human Rights City Project represents many of the pillars upon which the JHC was established. This project is a process whereby citizens, non-gov- ernmental organizations, government and business work in conjunction with the JHC Board of Directors to fully examine the laws, policies, development resources and the ongoing relationships in and around Edmonton. This dialogue and direction between the JHC and Edmontonians