Educational Resources

Source: Canadian Human Rights Commission

Summary: This report describes the impact of persistent conditions of disadvantage on the daily lives of Aboriginal people across Canada. Drawn primarily from Statistics Canada surveys, the report compares Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people across a spectrum of indicators, including education, employment, economic well-being, health, and housing. These comparisons confirm the persistence of barriers to equality of opportunity faced by Aboriginal people.

The report provides as comprehensive a statistical portrait as can be drawn from available data. Aboriginal people living off reserve are better represented in statistical surveys. On reserve, the gaps are significant. In some cases, data is simply not available.

The report shows that, compared to non -Aboriginal people, Aboriginal people living in Canada:

• Have lower median after-tax income;
• Are more likely to experience unemployment;
• Are more likely to collect employment insurance and social assistance;
• Are more likely to live in housing in need of major repairs;
• Are more likely to experience physical, emotional or sexual abuse;
• Are more likely to be victims of violent crimes; and
• Are more likely to be incarcerated and less likely to be granted parole.

For decades, study after study has chronicled the social injustice faced by Aboriginal people, on and off reserve. This report adds to our understanding by providing an empirical reference point regarding the impacts of systemic discrimination on the equality rights of a group protected by Canadian human rights legislation and international conventions. It is hoped that this report will serve to inform the work of stakeholders and government departments seeking to address these issues.