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Becoming the national voice
What we heard
The Commission must be more vocal and must be the national voice on all human rights issues in Canada
What it means
The Commission must be more proactive, more vocal and take the lead in setting the human rights agenda in Canada. This requires the Commission to speak out on human rights issues in Canada, regardless of legal jurisdiction related to complaints, and to use its voice to encourage social change.
“We need one cohesive human rights voice across Canada.”
“Silence is damaging. The Commission needs to be more vocal. It should be a leading light in the promotion of human rights in Canada, both domestically and internationally.”
“The Commission needs to be the ‘hard truth teller’ and be Canada’s human rights watchdog.”
“One of the Commission’s priorities should be to redefine itself as a national voice [for human rights] by building partnerships with different stakeholders and increasing its presence.”
“The Canadian Commission can show people how human rights are something that is relevant in their lives, and what they can do about it.”
“The Commission is a national body that is expected to speak out and has recognized authority to speak on human rights.”