E/C.12/CAN/CO/6
United Nations
Economic and Social Council
Distr.: General
23 March 2016
Original: English
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report
of Canada*
1.
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the sixth
periodic report of Canada on the implementation of the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/CAN/6) at its 6th and 7th meetings
(E/C.12/2016/SR.6-7), held on 24 and 25 February 2016, and adopted the following
concluding observations at its 20th meeting, held on 4 March 2016.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the sixth periodic report submitted by the State party and
the supplementary information provided in the replies to the list of issues
(E/C.12/CAN/Q/6/Add.1). The Committee also welcomes the oral replies provided by the
high-level delegation.
B.
Positive aspects
3.
The Committee welcomes the State party’s ratification of the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in 2010.
4.
The Committee notes with appreciation the measures taken by the State party to
enhance the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights, including:
(a)
The repeal of section 67 of the Canadian Human Rights Act in 2008, thus
enabling people to file complaints with the Canadian Human Rights Commission regarding
discrimination resulting from the application of the Indian Act;
(b)
The restoration of the Interim Federal Health Program in December 2015 for
certain categories of refugees and asylum seekers that had been eliminated in 2012;
(c)
The State party’s decision in 2015 to establish a national inquiry into murders
and disappearances of indigenous women and girls;
(d)
The State party’s commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration
on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007);
* Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-seventh session (22 February-4 March 2016).
GE.16-04776(E)
*1604776*