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E/C.12/CAN/CO/6 them. It is also concerned by the increased rate of incarceration of these persons and the excessive use of solitary confinement (arts. 11 and 12). 46. The Committee recommends that a disability perspective is integrated in all housing plans and policies at all levels. To that end, the Committee recommends that the State party increase the availability of affordable and social housing units for persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities, as well as community-based services. The Committee also recommends that the State party ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Right to food 47. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the delegation on the development of a national food policy. The Committee remains concerned, however, at the rates of food insecurity in the State party, the increased reliance on food banks, particularly in northern Canada, and the deficiencies of the Nutrition North Canada food programme (art. 11). 48. The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures to address the recommendations put forward in the report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food following his mission to Canada in 2012 (see A/HRC/27/52/Add.2). The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the food policy is human rights-based and is developed in close collaboration with provinces, territories and indigenous peoples, as well as in consultation with civil society organizations. The Committee recommends that the State party pay particular attention to addressing food insecurity in northern Canada, and take effective measures to protect access to traditional food. To that end, the State party is encouraged to review the Nutrition North Canada programme, giving due attention to the necessary transparency and accountability provisions, and to extend the programme’s coverage so as to reach those most affected by food insecurity. Right to health 49. The Committee is concerned that undocumented immigrants in the State party are denied access to health care. The Committee is also concerned that drug users face barriers in access to health-care services due to stigma and the punitive approach of the 2007 National Anti-Drug Strategy, which has had negative consequences on the health of drug users and discriminatory effects on disadvantaged and marginalized groups and individuals, such as African-Canadians, indigenous peoples and women (art. 12). 50. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure access to the Interim Federal Health Program without discrimination based on immigration status, in line with the Human Rights Committee’s recommendation of 2015 (see CCPR/C/CAN/CO/6, para. 12). The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure that its national drug law and the National Anti-Drug Strategy incorporate a public-health approach and be harm-reduction-based, and take effective measures to facilitate access to appropriate health care, psychological support services and rehabilitation for drug users. Sexual and reproductive health rights 51. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the delegation on measures taken to facilitate access to legal abortion services. It remains concerned, however, at disparities in access to such services and to affordable contraceptives (art. 12). 52. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure access to legal abortion services in all provinces and territories. The Committee also recommends 9

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Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Canada

Concluding Observations

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Country

Canada

Rights Involved

Right to adequate housing
Right to adequate standard of living
Right to education
Right to food
Right to health
Right to social security
Right to work
Rights of indigenous peoples
Rights of migrants/non-citizens
Rights of persons with disabilities
Rights of the child
Rights of women and girls

Issue

Accountability
Minimum core obligations
Non-discrimination
Participation
Progressive realization
Resource allocation
Resource expenditure
Resource generation
Transparency

International Human Rights Body

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Date: Mar 23, 2016

Summary: In their Concluding Observations of Canada, the CESCR provides recommendations to the State party to take measures to promote nondiscrimination, gender equality, and the range of ESCR, with particular attention to indigenous people. On resources, the Committee recommends that the State party increase national spending to guarantee Covenant rights so as to achieve the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights. The Committee urges the State party to adopt and implement a tax policy that is adequate and socially equitable and improves tax collection, so as to ensure the mobilization of resources sufficient for implementing economic, social and cultural rights, with special attention paid to disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups. The Committee recommends that the State party monitor closely the introduction of austerity measures by provinces and ensure that they do not undermine the minimum core content of all the Covenant rights, and that such austerity measures are not discriminatory and are temporary, necessary and proportionate. Additionally, the Committee recommends that the State party raise the official development assistance level so as to meet the internationally recognized target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income, and pursue a human rights-based approach in its development cooperation policy.

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E:C.12:CAN:CO:6.pdf
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Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Canada

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