Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms celebrates its 50th anniversary

Fifty years ago, Quebec adopted the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. A “powerful” instrument that is more relevant than ever in a context where rights are being challenged around the world, according to the body that oversees this law.

On June 27, 1975, the National Assembly unanimously adopted the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, making Quebec the first place in North America to enact such legislation.

A year later, the Charter, which had been sponsored by Liberal Justice Minister Jérôme Choquette, officially came into effect. It led to the creation of what is now called the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ). This body is responsible for ensuring compliance with and promoting the Charter.

The commission is planning various activities over the coming months to celebrate this 50th anniversary, but also to “make it clear that this fundamental law, which has a quasi-constitutional character, belongs to the entire population of Quebec.”

“This charter belongs to everyone, so we must take ownership of it,” asserts Myrlande Pierre, Vice-President responsible for the Charter mandate at the CDPDJ, in an interview. “Because it is an important instrument in the defense of human and minority rights.”

“Certain more right-wing positions call into question certain rights” internationally, emphasizes Pierre. She cites setbacks affecting LGBTQ+ communities, abortion rights, gender equality, and racialized minorities.

Since Quebec is not immune to this movement, its “charter has all its value, it has all its relevance,” says Pierre. “It’s always been there, but even more so today because we feel this setback, particularly with regard to minority rights.”

“All the necessary protections”

Pierre believes that the commission, like the entire population, must be vigilant in this context. According to Pierre, the Quebec Charter is “a powerful instrument that offers all the necessary protections.”

“There are 14 grounds of discrimination prohibited by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If we consider it in all its dimensions, it becomes a remarkably powerful instrument to continue defending human rights and freedoms.”

The CDPDJ also has the role of investigating cases of discrimination and harassment, among other things, based on grounds prohibited by the Charter. She says she received 2,938 complaints or reports of potential discrimination, harassment, or exploitation between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2024.

This represents a 25 per cent increase in the past year and a 41 per cent increase over the past two years.

Over the years, the Quebec Charter has been enhanced, now enshrining the principle of state secularism and French as the common language of Quebec, for example. It will continue to evolve in response to changes in society and new emerging concerns, assures Pierre.

The commission would particularly like to see economic and social rights strengthened to give them the same precedence as the other rights guaranteed in the Charter.

Pierre also warns the government about the “more frequent” use of the notwithstanding clause, which allows legislative provisions to be exempted from the Canadian and Quebec Charters of Rights.

“The commission has emphasized on several occasions that an exemption from the Quebec Charter is a gesture that must be made very sparingly. It is not a light gesture,” she states.

Raising awareness of the Charter

The committee hopes to use the context of the Charter’s 50th anniversary to raise public awareness of it. It plans several activities through 2026, including in schools.

Regional forums including training sessions, workshops, and discussions will also be organized in collaboration with community organizations. In October, CDPDJ President Philippe-André Tessier and Professor Patrick Taillon at the Faculty of Law at Université Laval will participate in a discussion on the history of the Charter at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

The National Assembly is also scheduled to hold a ceremony at the Parliament Buildings later that month to commemorate the Charter’s adoption.

In the fall of 2026, the committee will release a documentary that will retrace the Charter’s evolution through various testimonials. During the same period, a national symposium will be organized to both take stock of the past five decades and reflect on the future of this law.

Last spring, the commission launched an art competition for college and university students. Interested applicants have until Oct. 12 to submit an original work expressing their thoughts on the charter. The best entries will be recognized and presented in a virtual exhibition in early 2026.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews