The Canadian Human Rights Commission says respect for human rights must remain central as Canada faces economic uncertainty, rising hate, and growing inequality.
In its 2025 annual report to Parliament, released this month, the commission said the country is at a pivotal moment and that human rights protections are critical during periods of instability.
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Canada at a crossroads
Chief Commissioner Charlotte-Anne Malischewski said geopolitical and economic tensions, record income inequality, and cost-of-living pressures have placed Canada at what she described as an historic crossroads.
She said the rights of people in Canada are tied directly to how the country responds to those challenges.
“Respect for human rights must be one of those core values we fight for,” Malischewski said in a statement.
“That is especially true in hard times.”
Focus on core protections
The commission said it continued its work in 2025 under five federal laws that together form Canada’s federal human rights system.
That included promoting the right to housing, equal and fair pay, accessibility, and freedom from discrimination.
The agency also said it represented the public interest in significant human rights cases before Canadian courts and examined emerging rights issues.
Improving access to justice
The commission said it is also working to strengthen services that help people understand their rights and seek justice.
Malischewski said a stronger Canada is one where people feel they belong in workplaces, when accessing important services, and in everyday life.
Report tabled in Parliament
The commission’s annual report was tabled in the House of Commons and Senate at the end of March.