A Canadian organization for journalists will be reporting
to the United Nations that Canada has many policies and practices that need
improvement to achieve good standing on human rights.
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression will be making a
submission to the United Nations for its review of human rights that is
conducted every four years for every member of the United Nations.
The issues the association will raise include:
- Shortcomings in legal
rights for reporters to protect the identity of confidential sources.
- Mistreatment of journalists.
- The right to information, such
as the federal Access to Information law and provincial freedom of information
laws.
- Protection for whistleblowers.
- Access to the internet.
- Restrictions on freedom of
assembly.
The CJFE is collaborating with the Centre for Law and Democracy, the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA), Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada (LRWC),
and PEN Canada,
“Although Canada has generally maintained a strong human
rights record, there are some serious weaknesses that need to be considered,
specifically in relation to free expression and access to information,” the CJFE says.
Recent examples in agriculture include company harassment of
whistleblower Norman Bourdeau who has turned over records of e-mails and egg
grading from L.H. Gray and Sons Ltd. for a lawsuit alleging conspiracy to
restrain competition and cheating on egg grades, and employees of XL Foods Inc.
who say they fear they will be disciplined for telling about shoddy food-safety
conditions in the plant.
