Program Report 2008

Monitoring and Response

Charter Rights & Legislative Review -We reviewed 44 bills, completed a review of our policy on euthanasia and physician assisted suicide and began a review of our policy on religious exercises in Canadian public schools.

Referral - MARL provided referral and/or information in response to more than 80 inquiries from the public. We monitor the issues that arise in this work to determine which are issues that require more attention.

Media Watch - MARL continued to monitor human rights issues in the media and was asked to comment on some Manitoba legislation, expanded use of surveillance cameras in public places, proposed restrictions on peaceful political protest and general interest in human rights issues.

Public Education

Youth Against Hate - The two interactive workshops in this series were not offered this year as we focused on development of an extensive Human Rights Education Program to be implemented in high schools.

Under 18 Handbook - Distribution of the newly revised handbook continued throughout the year. At present there are over 3000 handbooks in circulation.

Community Outreach and Initiatives

Coalitions - MARL is a member of the Coalition for Human Equality. MARL provides extensive administrative support to the Coalition for Human Equality (CHE) in order to further the work of combating racism and fostering inter-group cooperation, with a particular focus on March 21st activities. The Coalition participated in the local tri-level March 21st steering committee which plans March 21 events each year. MARL includes a page for the Coalition for Human Equality on its website, including a community calendar of activities relating to March 21st. In collaboration with Kani Kanichihk and FAIRE, the Coalition has initiated plans for a peace-building event bringing together Aboriginal, newcomer and mainstream youth to be held later this spring.

We are also a member the Inner City Safety Coalition, a network of community-based agencies that are seeking to have more citizen input into the policy direction and accountability of police services in Winnipeg. The Coalition advocated for the establishment in the City of Winnipeg of a civilian police commission/board as a mechanism for making the police service more responsive to the needs on neighbourhoods, particularly in the inner city. The Coalition has begun planning a conference on best practices in police governance for later in the spring of 2008.

Collaboration - We partnered with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and the Canadian Human Rights Commission in holding a luncheon to observe International Human Rights Day and honour the recipients of the Manitoba Human Rights Commitment Award and the Dr. Sybil Shack Memorial Human Rights Youth Award.

Outreach - MARL’s outreach activities include supporting the work of other organizations through providing information or through direct participation, and consulting with others in the community as we develop our own work. MARL supported the work of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg through participation in its Committee for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination. We also participate in the United Against Racism Advisory Committee at Kani Kanichihk. We also participated in and support the work of the Multiculturalism Day Steering Committee Holocaust Remembrance activities in Winnipeg.

Projects

Human Rights Education Program - MARL began work last spring on the development of a new human rights education program designed to reach a broad range of high school students. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the work was interrupted for a number of months but began again this spring. A Program Developer has been hired and a detailed project plan has been completed with implementation of teacher resources scheduled for fall 2008 and a youth engagement strategy for spring 2009.

Civilian Oversight of Policing - A research paper entailing a thorough review of legislation, policies and practices relating to civilian oversight of municipal police services in Canada was completed by a summer student. Work is underway on an executive summary to be used in conjunction with a planned conference on best practices in police governance as we continue to work with the local community to improve accountability of the police service, especially in the relationship between the police and marginalized communities such as Aboriginal peoples, recent immigrants and racialized minorities.

Operations

• Nominating and Election Policy and Procedures developed and approved.
• Anti-discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy developed and approved.
•  Membership retention - Membership has remained stable.

Funders

Core

• United Way of Winnipeg

Programs and Projects

• The Winnipeg Foundation
• Ethnocultural Community Support Program
• Human Resources Development Canada