Every Voice Counts - A Podcast by Senator Mobina

Canada Day 2021

For 153 years, July 1^st has been reserved for Canada Day celebrations. However, this July 1^st was very different than all that have come before it and will hopefully lay the foundation for all future celebrations. The fact is, that for many people, Canada Day has never been a day for celebration. Rather it has been a reminder of the fact that Canada remains on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Indigenous peoples.

Projet de loi C-6 : thérapie de conversion

Projet de loi C-6, Loi modifiant le Code criminel (thérapie de conversion) vient d'être envoyé au Comité sénatorial permanent des affaires juridiques et constitutionnelles. Alors que ce débat se poursuit à travers le Canada, je me rappelle pourquoi le travail d'un législateur est si important. Nous devons écouter toutes les voix qui s'expriment, nous devons ensuite écouter tous les experts dont les points de vue sont opposés et enfin, nous devons arriver à notre propre conclusion sur ce que nous croyons être la bonne réponse.

Bill C-6: Conversion Therapy

Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy) has just been sent to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. As this debate continues across Canada, I am reminded why the job of a legislator is so vitally important. We have to listen to all the voices that are speaking, we then have to listen to all the experts whose views are on opposing sides and finally, we have to come to our own conclusion on what we believe is the right answer.

Medical Assistance in Dying and Race-Based Data

How can legislators and parliamentarians make informed decisions while also ensuring that correct and meaningful policies are being put in place, without any data? How do we even begin to solve our problems and prevent them from festering, without any information?

Recently, I successfully moved an amendment to Bill C-7 - Medical Assistance in Dying, that will extend the powers of Health Canada to allow for the collection of race-based data to be systematically collected on a national level. The amendment also called for the data to be used to identify race-based inequities and how race intersects with other forms of systemic inequality in medical assistance in dying.

Systemic Racism: Breaking the Cycle

As we conclude this series and look forward to upcoming changes across every level of our government and within every aspect of our collective Canadian society, I am hopeful that real and tangible progress will be seen. In the midst of this time of heightened awareness and concern for racialized people and a renewed commitment to eradicate racism, in all of its forms, it is critical that we continue to educate ourselves and one another.

Systemic Racism and Political Representation

One of the biggest barriers to racialized people in Canada being able to access critical resources, such as employment, housing, and education, is that their political and governmental representatives do not necessarily understand, thus they cannot meaningfully address the systemic and institutional obstacles they face. Canada prides itself on being a multicultural nation that welcomes people from all across the world who proudly call this country their home. This emphasis on diversity and open inclusion, cannot simply be a national or global slogan.

Systemic Racism: Institutional and Carceral Racism

Across our country, people of all races are sitting in prison cells. How and why did they get end up here? The fact, virtually every person has done something for which they could be criminalized. However, when a person’s race, gender and class impact their chances of being caught in the large net of criminalization and ultimately, institutionalization, then justice is not served.

Systemic Racism: Discrimination and marginalization in school

Racialized children face many issues at school. Whether they are forced to go to underfunded schools because of where they live, or they suffer from being marginalized and excluded by their teachers. Many students of colour are also subjected to bullying and harassment from their colleagues. They are often over-represented in expulsion and academic streaming.

All these factors affect their chances of going to university and getting a higher education. Thus, affecting their future and careers. 

Systemic Racism: From Inadequate Housing to Discrimination

Research from Canada’s largest cities suggests that visible minority groups are at a disadvantage in both the rental and homeownership markets. Over 50% of people and families of colour in Canada live in homes which are inadequate.

It is also common to find neighbourhoods where only people of colour live. This segregation is forced upon them, and it gives way to another form of discrimination based on their address. Can you imagine being discriminated against because of your address, because of your postal code?

 

Systemic Racism -- How Race affects Employment

Getting a job is the first block in building a life for a family, but merely having a name that signals a non-white person can be an obstacle. Imagine if your name is reason for being unemployed, or your skin colour is reason for being marginalized at your workplace and never advancing.

This episode will delve into the matter of Race and Employment in Canada.