PEI is not a Province that works actively to ensure its citizens enjoy their rights under the Charter

PEI Minister Valerie Docherty

On April 17th, 2008 Tourism Minister Valerie Docherty rose in the Legislature of the Province of Prince Edward Island to speak on Equality Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Despite her noble words, PEI is not a Province that works actively to ensure its citizens enjoy their rights under the Charter. The government is often the last to adopt Human Rights ideas and engages in protracted litigation against its citizens over Human Rights.

We recommend the Minister and the government of PEI adopt measures that will proactively guarantee the Human Rights of Islanders of all races, gender, color, and mental or physical disabilities.

In the Legislature Docherty said Hansard p.456:

Ms. Docherty: If I may, I would certainly like to speak for a moment about Equality Day.

April 17th is the day we celebrate Equality Day in Canada. We celebrate Equality Day to mark the coming into force of the equality provision in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom on April 17, 1985. The Canadian Charter was signed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau on April 17, 1982. However, Section 15, which deals with equality rights, was not implemented for another three years.

Section 15 states: Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.”

PEI does discriminate on the basis of race. Mr. Noel Ayangma, despite his qualifications as a teacher, was repeatedly denied employment because he was black. After protracted legal battles, the PEI Human Rights Commission agreed Ayangma was the subject of racial discrimination. Racial discrimination is the dirty secret of PEI’s immigration situation. It doesn’t take immigrants long to realize they will be more welcome in Canada’s more ethnically diverse cities than PEI.

PEI was the last province in Canada to enact same-sex marriage laws despite Supreme Court of Canada rulings.

PEI has one of the worst records in Canada for hiring persons with disabilities which is blatantly discriminatory. While the Federal government has legislation and regulations to ensure persons with disabilities make up a reasonable proportion of its employees, the Province only hires the odd token person with a disability.

The Province of Prince Edward Island has established minimal support for persons with disabilities but discriminates against people who are older than 64 years or mentally disabled. While PEI can technically discriminate under the Charter, there is no moral or ethical reason to do so.

However, the Province has a record of minimal compliance with human rights legislation so the treatment of the disabled fits the pattern.