Jack Layton and the New Democrats will:

Immediately ratify the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We will reverse the Conservative government’s refusal to sign the Declaration. We will ensure its provisions are properly respected in Canada and incorporated into Canadian law.

Restore the court challenges program, eliminated by the Harper government, which funded equality seeking groups to go to court to protect their rights and establish fair jurisprudence.

Work with affected multicultural communities to appropriately redress historical issues arising from governmental actions, including options such as recognition of wrongdoing, official apologies, and compensation.

Work with the trade union movement to ensure full respect for labour rights in Canada, including for non-Canadians working legally here as well as for workers in Canadian-owned industries abroad.

Immediately implement the United Nations Convention on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to include gender identity and gender expression and identity among the prohibited grounds for discrimination. Support gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transexual equality internationally, as per the Montreal and Yogyakarta Declaration on Human Rights.