Bill No. 96 - The Human Rights Act - amendment - First Reading

"This Bill adds a substantive right to the Human Rights Act respecting an adequate standard of living."

See this Private Member's Bill here.

Human Rights Act
(amended)

Claudia Chender, Dartmouth South

Explanatory Note

This Bill adds a substantive right to the Human Rights Act respecting an adequate standard of living.

An Act to Amend Chapter 214
of the Revised Statutes, 1989,
the Human Rights Act

WHEREAS Canada is a signatory to the 1976 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and has ratified the Covenant;

AND WHEREAS the Covenant provides that “The ... Parties ... recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.”;

THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 Chapter 214 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Human Rights Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 21 the following Part:

PART IA

SUBSTANTIVE RIGHTS

  • 21A (1) Everyone in the Province has the right to an adequate standard of living when in need.

    (2) The right referred to in subsection (1) includes the right to adequate housing, healthcare, food and water and social services.

    (3) The Government of the Province shall take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realization of the rights referred to in this Section.

    (4) Nothing in this Section precludes any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups.

Human RightsClaudia Chender MLAHuman Rights Act, Bills