Human Rights
Promoting the understanding of the rights and responsibilities of shared citizenship is a key objective of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Recognizing that attitudinal change is brought by the concerted efforts of socializing institutions and programming, Canadian Heritage has been given the responsibility at the federal level for "the promotion of a greater understanding of human rights, fundamental freedoms and values" [Heritage Act, s. 4(2)(a)].
The Human Rights Program has principal responsibility within the Department for promotion and education on human rights, for coordinating intergovernmental consultations in this area, and for reporting to the United Nations on the implementation of human rights instruments in Canada. Other programs within the Department and agencies reporting to the Minister of Canadian Heritage also play an important role in supporting the implementation of specific aspects of human rights, including social, cultural, aboriginal, gender and language rights.
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