SYSTEMIC INITIATIVES

EQUITABLE EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH READING DISABILITIES REPORT
In 2020, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission received a group complaint on behalf of 29 families, all with children who have been professionally diagnosed with dyslexia.

The families alleged that eight school divisions discriminated against their children on the basis of disability (dyslexia and other disabilities).

Given the number of parents supporting the complaint, the Commission determined a systemic investigation would be more efficient and more appropriate than pursuing each complaint individually. A systemic approach allowed the Commission to take a broader view of the issues and present better options for resolutions.

Working collaboratively with stakeholders, the Commission began gathering information about students with reading disabilities in Saskatchewan’s education sector. This included reviewing recent academic research and reports from other Canadian jurisdictions. It also included gathering stakeholder perspectives, lived experiences, and commentary through interviews and surveys.

The interviews began in July 2020 and consisted of one-on-one and group discussions with more than 50 individuals and organizations. Participants were selected based on personal and/or professional experience, expertise, and decision-making authority related to students with reading disabilities.

The two surveys conducted by the Commission were conducted online. For the Parent/Student Survey, 183 people chose to provide information about their experiences and observations. The second survey, designed to be completed by educational and medical professionals, received 293 responses.

In September 2023, the Commission released Equitable Education for Students with Reading Disabilities in Saskatchewan’s K to 12 Schools: A Systemic Investigation Report.

The report emphasized the need for an early, universal screening strategy; individualized reading interventions; professional assessments; accommodation for all students; as well as a desire for curriculum and reading instruction pedagogy directly supported by scientific research.

Information Sessions
In February and March 2024, the Commission held a series of four information sessions about the Equitable Education for Students with Reading Disabilities initiative. These sessions were held for parents (February 27), stakeholders (February 28 and 29), and the general public (March 8).

Featured speakers for the sessions were Alica Smith (Dyslexia Canada), Dr. Andrea Fraser (Mount Saint Vincent University), Maria Soonias Ali (SHRC), and Kirsten Downey (parent).

The speakers discussed reading disabilities, curriculum, instruction, pedagogy, and parental concerns while exploring potential solutions and improvements to the challenges raised in the Equitable Education report.

Next Steps
The Commission views the Equitable Education for Students with Read Disabilities report and the ensuing information sessions as initial pieces in an ongoing initiative.

The Commission intends to establish a working group consisting of stakeholders throughout the province to address the issues outlined in the report and to ensure legal obligations and standards are adhered to in accordance with The Saskatchewan Education Act (2015) and The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018.

SASKATCHEWAN POLICE CONTACT INTERVIEW POLICY: A HUMAN RIGHTS REVIEW
Several years ago, the Commission began hearing concerns from the public regarding the practice of police contact interviews – often referred to as street checks by the public.

The Commission heard from people who believed these contact interviews were discriminatory on the basis of race and other grounds protected under The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018.

At the same time, several high-profile reviews of contact interview/street check policies and practices were underway in other jurisdictions throughout Canada.

Recognizing the complexity of balancing the need to maintain public safety and the need for the public to be free from discriminatory interference, the Commission launched a systemic initiative designed to consider contact interviews within the context of human rights.

As with other systemic initiatives, the Commission sought out stakeholder perspectives through interviews, meetings, and submitted documents.

Three interconnected goals shaped the focus of this systemic initiative:

• To review research, case law, and stakeholder perspectives on the policy, purpose, and practice of contact interviews.
• To determine whether the current contact interview policy complies with the provisions of the Code.
• To engage with stakeholders who are involved with the implementation of the policy and/or who can speak to the impact of the policy, with the goal of identifying challenges and unresolved issues.

In December 2023, the Commission released its report Saskatchewan Police Contact Interview Policy: A Human Rights Review.

The Commission conducted research and consulted police services throughout the province, the Saskatchewan Police Commission, and numerous community-based organizations to help inform the report.

Throughout the review, stakeholder participants identified the need for additional police training and education, better public education regarding contact interviews, and a lack of trust between police and certain communities as key issues to be addressed.

Other issues included an ongoing uncertainty about the use and prevalence of contact interviews, as well as concerns about contact interview data collection and retention.

THE USE OF PREFERRED FIRST NAME AND PRONOUNS BY STUDENTS REVIEW
On August 22, 2023, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education announced a new policy entitled “The Use of Preferred First Name and Pronouns by Students.” This policy introduced a province-wide requirement for parental consent prior to students under the age of 16 using a new preferred name or gender identity in school.

The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission received inquiries expressing concern about this policy from a number of people. They suggested the new Ministry of Education policy was discriminatory on the basis of gender identity. It was also suggested the policy was a violation of the right to freedom of expression provided for in the Code. Meanwhile, a lawsuit challenging the policy was filed against the Government of Saskatchewan on behalf of the UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity.

On September 8, 2023, the Commission began a review of the Ministry of Education policy in accordance with the Commission’s mandate under the Code requiring the Commission to pursue measures to address alleged systemic patterns of discrimination.

Over the last few years, the Commission has developed a detailed and effective process for systemic reviews which includes research, investigation, and stakeholder consultation. It is the practice of the Commission to work with stakeholders to reach amicable resolutions to issues wherever possible.

The Commission consulted directly with a range of individuals and stakeholder groups with different views on the new policy. This included groups of students, parents, and teachers. The Commission also invited and received written submissions from members of the public. Furthermore, the public was invited to respond to an online survey. A broad range of opinions were received during this period.

On October 12, 2023, the Minister of Education introduced legislation (Bill 137) into the Legislative Assembly that would put the key elements of the preferred first name and pronoun policy formally into The Education Act, 1995, and shield such legislation from Charter and Code challenges.

Bill 137 created a new parental rights section in The Education Act. This legislation was passed and subsequently received Royal Assent on October 20, 2023. Since the passage of Bill 137, the Commission’s work has focused on listening to the experiences of students, parents, and teachers about the effects of the new legislation.

The Commission has heard from both parents and teachers that there remains some confusion regarding the new parental rights section of The Education Act, and that matters related to gender identity have been conflated with the sexual health education notice and opt-out provisions.

The Commission remains engaged with various stakeholders on these matters and will provide information aimed at clarifying the rights of transgender youth.

DUTY TO ACCOMMODATE IN INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Section 13 of the Code provides for the right to education and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and other protected characteristics. The prohibition on discrimination includes all schools, not just publicly funded schools.

However, the Commission became aware of instances of failures to accommodate students with disabilities at independent schools in the province. This issue was discussed in the December 2023 report Making the Grade: Moving Forward in Independent Education, published by the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth. Among other suggestions, this report recommends: “The Ministry of Education provide mandatory training to all registered independent schools on their obligations to accommodate students with intensive needs under The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018 to the point of undue hardship.”

During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Commission began a project aimed at improving the process of accommodation for students with disabilities in independent schools in Saskatchewan. This project is ongoing and will assist the Ministry of Education in responding to the recommendations of the Advocate’s report.

SYSTEMIC PARTNERSHIPS
Several multi-stakeholder systemic initiatives continued during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Disability Services Alliance
The Commission continues to support the efforts of the Disability Service Alliance (DSA) in its efforts to address the needs of people with disabilities living in Northern Saskatchewan.

The DSA members – including the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatchewan, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Diabetes Canada, Inclusion Saskatchewan, Métis National of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities, the Commission, Spinal Cord Injury of Saskatchewan, and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Saskatchewan – continue to engage in research that captures the lived experience of people with disabilities.

Based on this research, as well as input from key stakeholders, the DSA created a proposal requesting resources from the Government of Saskatchewan that would help provide better supports for people with disabilities in the North.

In advance of International Day of People with Disabilities, the Commission joined other members of the DSA for an MLA Reception on November 28, 2023, at the Saskatchewan Legislature. The reception focused on meeting the needs of people with disabilities in Northern Saskatchewan.

The Commission meets regularly with the DSA to advance the aforementioned proposal.

During the last meeting of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, DSA members met with MLA Jim Lemaigre (Athabasca) to discuss the proposal and what the government can do to help the DSA achieve its objectives.

Communication between the Government and the DSA remains ongoing.

Healthy Campus Saskatchewan
Since 2021, the Commission has been a community partner with Healthy Campus Saskatchewan – a cooperative effort among 19 post-secondary institutions in the province focused on improving the student experience.

Healthy Campus Saskatchewan supports the well-being and mental health of students through information sharing, research, and implementing practices that enhance and expand on well-established equity and accommodation services.

The stakeholder institutions and community partners continue to work together to create new tools, resources, and learning opportunities for students. This includes awareness and prevention strategies that respond to suicide, sexual violence, and substance use.

Healthy Campus Saskatchewan’s vision is healthy and resilient campus communities where students have the knowledge, tools, and resources they need for mental health and wellness and academic/career success.

Saskatchewan Association Of Rural Municipalities
The Commission continues to engage with, and provide public education to, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM). The Commission first met with SARM president Ray Orb and Executive Director Jay Meyer in 2022 to discuss opportunities to connect with rural municipal leadership and determine potential areas of partnership.

Since then, the Commission has published human rights education articles in SARM’s quarterly publication, The Rural Councillor, as well as in its monthly publication, The Rural Sheaf.

On November 30, the Commission’s Director of Systemic Initiatives, Robin Mowat, presented “Rural Municipalities and the SHRC: Everything You Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask” at SARM’s 2023 Municipal Leaders’ Roles and Responsibilities Conference.

During the presentation, Mowat discussed The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, discrimination within a legal context, the duty to accommodate, as well as the Commission’s complaint process.

Saskatoon Council on Aging
In May 2023, the Commission joined a committee to assist the Saskatoon Council on Aging in the development and implementation of an online ageism awareness campaign.

Funded by the New Horizons for Seniors Program and the Government of Canada, the “Confronting Ageism: It Starts With You” public education campaign raised awareness about ageism and its harmful effects.

The campaign was designed to shift attitudes towards older adults and aging by providing positive alternatives to negative stereotyping, while creating a more inclusive environment for all.

The campaign was launched on Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok in the fall of 2023 and concluded in March 2024. Campaign messaging reached 19,971 people on Facebook and 17,177 people on Instagram. TikTok videos were viewed 43,111 times.