Introduction

Canadians For Genocide Education (CGE) is a coalition of almost 50 associations representing over 20 different Canadian communities. We are dedicated to inclusivity and equity in education about and commemoration of violations of human rights in general and genocide in particular.

Twin Pillars of Inclusivity and Equity

It is the opinion of the membership of Canadians for Genocide Education that any federally funded institution dedicated to human rights must be inclusive and equitable in all aspects of its treatment of the subject. Otherwise, it will be suggesting that a hierarchy of human suffering exists. More specifically, it would be suggesting that the suffering of some people is more important than the suffering of others. An institution that fails to dedicate itself to the twin pillars of inclusivity and equity would not be teaching Canadians about human rights but rather it would be teaching Canadians about racism.

CGE has been deeply concerned about the way in which The Canadian Museum of Human Rights has been developed. It has been the product of backroom dealing by the Asper family. Such methodology has little to do with empowering civil society, human rights or Canadian values. The original published plans called for massively disproportionate space being allocated to one particular case study of genocide. This would have made inclusivity and equity in all aspects of the museum impossible. Although we acknowledge that much has changed from the early days of this museum project, there is still significant inclusivity and equity issues that must addressed and corrected by the museum planners.

All cases (with the single exception discussed below) should be treated in accordance with the twin pillars of inclusivity and equity in all aspects. To help define what CGE means by its terms “Inclusivity and equity” we have for the better part of a decade now repeatedly submitted the following five points to various branches of the Government of Canada and the museum planners.

• The Museum’s name, mandate and mission statement will be generic, inclusive and equitable.
• The Museum will not suggest that any one case of human suffering is more important than others by providing it with permanent strategic positioning, disproportionate display space, or other devices to focus special attention on it by visitors.
• The museum’s displays, funding and support for research and publication will be weighted toward lesser-known cases of human rights abuses and genocide that been historically marginalized or neglected so that those episodes may be fully recognized, documented and presented to Canadians.
• The museum’s governance and staffing should be inclusive and equitable. Its board of directors, officers and employees should reflect the full demographic diversity of Canada’s peoples.
• The museum will be fully independent of the Asper foundation, other corporations and institutions excepting the Government of Canada.

We continue to stand behind these five points and insist that they are not a menu from which the Canadians Museum for Human Right’s (CMHR’s) Board may pick and choose items that pleases it.

We note with great appreciation the values detailed in section 1.3 in the CMHR’s Summary of Corporate Plan and Operating and Capitol Budgets for 2009-2010 to 2013-2014 which states,

The establishment of what is believed to be the world’s first museum dedicated to the broad subject of human rights embodies Canada’s commitment to a set of values associated with democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law. Organizational values such as objectivity, innovation, equity and inclusiveness must underpin all activities of the Museum so that its operations mirror and advance its mandate. The Museum’s mandate and status as a national institution also confer a set of principles based on accountability and transparency, national accessibility and engagement, collaboration, corporate citizenship and sound research and scholarship.

This is an excellent statement that potentially satisfies CGE’s concerns regarding this museum. If the CMHR is to succeed it will need the wide support of all Canadians. We hope to be able to whole heartedly support this museum.

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