Essay Sample: Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms for LGBTQ

Canada is used praised for being the “better older sister” to the United States but the reality is that the problems there are just as difficult and rampant as here. Despite what the Charter of Rights and Freedoms says, marginalized groups are still discriminated against on a daily basis. 

In the Charter, it is stated that every individual is equal under the law and will benefit without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. But it is very common in schools or workplaces to not be properly accommodating for people with disabilities, they find it hard to create genuine connections with able-bodied people because of the ableism we are taught from a very young age and with the last two years have found it very hard to have the very little social contact they receive because of mobility issues. It is also stated in the charter that the “Charter of certain rights and freedoms shall not be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any aboriginal, treaty or other rights or freedoms that pertain to the aboriginal peoples of Canada”.

Implying that the Canadian government is adequately helping Indigenous communities in Canada when the Government has not even provided suitable housing for these communities. Houses are plagued with black mold and overcrowding is creating unfit housing conditions and the issue is not being discussed enough.

Lastly, the charter states that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person” but that is not the case for LGBTQ+ citizens. In the recent truck convey protests houses and businesses with LBGTQ+ flags and signs were robbed and destroyed and LGBTQ+ workers are reported to be making $39,000 versus the $58,000 that non-LBGTQ+ are making. Changes are starting to be made with the recent ban on conversion therapy but better education and conversations in places like primary schools and the workplace are the next step. Creating bills and laws protecting marginalized groups is a start, but the only way to alleviate these issues is to uproot them altogether; racism, ableism, homophobia none of those issues can be fixed singularity they must be taken down together and with the help of the ones affected by them, not some rich white men writing around a kitchen.