Recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racism

STATEMENT

Recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racism

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed worldwide on March 21^st each year. The day aims to remind people of racial discrimination’s negative consequences. It also encourages people to remember their obligation to combat racial discrimination.

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) recognizes the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by calling on governments and organizations across Canada to fully implement all the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and to make life better for racialized Canadians, refugees, migrant workers, and newcomers.

“Indigenous Canadians and racialized people live with systemic and blatant racism every single day, and this year a number of high profile situations highlighted, for non-racialized Canadians, the racism that still exists in our province and country,” said SFL president Larry Hubich, “it’s my hope that these conversations have led some of us to a little more truth, and will push governments, organizations, and individuals to take action on reconciliation, and tackle racism in all its forms,” he added.

In 2015 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released 94 calls to action for governments at all levels, businesses, and community organizations that would “advance the process of Canadian reconciliation”. The calls to action fall under several broad categories, including child welfare, education, language, health, justice, business, media, youth, and sports.

“Our provincial and federal governments also have a responsibility to make life better for refugees, migrant workers – including temporary foreign workers – and newcomers,” said Hubich, “employers still abuse the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to take advantage of vulnerable people, and unfairly drive down wages,” he added.

“We all have a vital role in advancing this work,” said Hubich, “the labour movement in Saskatchewan will continue, and expand, its efforts to reconcile the abuses and injustices of the past and present, with the hope of a brighter path forward for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, newcomers, and all Canadians,” he added.

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The SFL represents over 100,000 working people across the province in 37 affiliated unions.

For additional information, contact:

Kent Peterson

Strategic Advisor

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour

o: 1 (306) 525-0197

m: 1 (306) 570-1855

e: k.peterson@sfl.sk.ca