Weekly Rights Digest (April 28-May 4)

29 April 2024

Alberta Human Rights Commission

C.C. v University of Alberta, 2024 AHRC 65 (CanLII)

Keywords: Gymnastics, COVID, Religion, Discrimination

The complainant was enrolled in a gymnastics program at the University of Alberta. When the respondent implemented a mandatory vaccination policy, the complainant requested an exemption from the policy on the basis of their religious beliefs. The respondent denied the request and the complainant was unable to attend their gymnastics program. The complainant submits that the respondent discriminated against them and failed to accommodate their religious beliefs”… Read More

30 April 2024

Meghan Grant, CBC News

$9.5M sexual abuse class-action lawsuit against Stampede moves forward with 300 claimants

Keywords: Calgary Stampede, Sexual Abuse, Performing Arts

"About 300 people have joined a $9.5-million class action lawsuit against the Calgary Stampede, which admitted negligence after a serial sexual abuser worked for decades with teenage performers from the Young Canadians, a judge heard Tuesday"...Read More

May 1

Tara Bradbury, The Telegram (St. John's)

Court rejects N.L. figure skating coach's application to dismiss some of his sexual violence charges

Keywords: Figure skating, sexual assault, child luring, sexual interference and making pornography available to minors

"The trial of a St. John’s-area figure skating coach charged with sexual offences against two teenage skaters will resume in June, now that the court has rejected his application to have some of the charges dismissed"...Read More

1 May 2024

Canadian Press, CTV News

B.C. Conservatives' 'biological sex' sports bill is quickly quashed in legislature

Keywords: British Columbia, Trans, LGBTQ+, Discrimination, Legislation

"A proposal by British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad to use "biological sex" to classify participants in publicly funded sports teams and events, effectively banning transgender athletes, didn't get to first base. His private member's bill, the Fairness in Women's and Girls' Sports Act, was voted down at first reading, a fate that's a rarity in the B.C. legislature"...Read More

1 May 2024

Matthew Hall, The Guardian

Exclusive: Youth coach facing assault charge was cleared by third-party firm investigating Hockey Canada abuse claims

Keywords: Assault, Child, Coach, Hockey, Independent Third Party, Alberta

"A youth hockey coach is set to appear in a Canadian court charged with assaulting a child after being cleared of abuse for the same incident by Hockey Canada’s “independent third party” that investigates abuse within the sport. The charge laid by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – the country’s national police service – demonstrates a disparity in standards between police investigations into abuse and internal civil investigations managed by sports organizations"...Read More

3 May 2024

Delon Shurtz, Lethbridge Herald

New grant program geared to sport and recreation facilities

Keywords: Alberta, Infrastructure, Inclusivity, Accessability, Active Communities Initiative

"The initiative is a fund-matching program and has two streams for prospective projects. Stream one funds projects from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $500,000, while stream two funds projects from a minimum of $500,001 to a maximum of $1.5 million. Larger-scale sport and recreation infrastructure projects will continue to be funded through the government’s Capital Plan...Eymann said the Sport Council’s vision is for Lethbridge to be an inclusive and accessible sport community where individuals and families can connect with others and feel part of the community, and where everyone has the opportunity to participate in organized sports"...Read More

4 May 2024

Angela Grace, Dustin Archibald, Sheri Christensen; Steven Kotschorek; Alyssa Lewis, Stephanie Lustig, Nancy Hunt, Robin Kyler, Annie Rivers, Calgary Herald

Policing, not preserving, children's choice

Keywords: Alberta, Trans, LGBTQ+, Provincial Government, Policy

"The Alberta government recently held a parent engagement session regarding the premier's new mandate: “Preserving Choice for Children.” Participants were overwhelmingly against any of the proposed policies, but it was explicitly stated this was not “in scope” for feedback. The session was nothing more than optics. The topics for discussion were superficial. The engagement questions focused on communication with parents, appropriate resources, supporting students and families, and meaningful participation in sport. There were no open-ended questions for true inquiry or discussion. It was clear the proposed policy changes are going to be implemented whether we like it or not. This is appalling"...Read More