Human
Dignity

The Problem

Human dignity has fallen by the wayside in provincial concerns, dropping so far as to attack the inherent dignity and rights of the most vulnerable children in our province. We cannot move forward if we are stuck in old ways of thinking.

The Promise

An NCP government will not just promise to uphold human dignity; it will bind itself by law so that the primary duty of any Government of Saskatchewan is first and foremost to respect, protect, and uphold human dignity.

The Plan

The NCP will put forward The Saskatchewan Human Dignity Act. This Act will make three binding proclamations that will become a statutory duty on all provincial action going forward.

1. Human dignity is inherent and inviolable.
2. The primary duty of all provincial authority is to respect, protect, and uphold human dignity.
3. Indignity can never excuse further indignity.

The Act will state that all other enactments and decisions shall, to the extent possible, be read consistently with this Act. Any later Acts intending to limit or change these declarations must clearly and expressly say so.

The Act will empower the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission with the funding and authority to investigate claims of breached dignity by the Government of Saskatchewan and issue binding remedial directions, subject to judicial review and appeal rights established by law.

The Act will state that anyone who claims serious, demonstrable harm to their dignity by act or omission of the province may appeal to this newly empowered Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

If satisfaction still cannot be reached, a person may apply to the Court of King's Bench for relief after all ordinary appeals and attempts at satisfaction are exhausted. The Court of King's Bench may grant appropriate relief, including declarations, injunctions, mandatory orders, and any other remedy the Court considers just and proper.

The Saskatchewan Human Dignity Act will bind the Government of Saskatchewan, its ministries, agencies, Crown corporations, and any public body exercising provincial authority. It will not create a standalone dignity cause of action against private persons or private businesses.

The Human Rights Code shall be amended to ensure its interpretation specifically upholds and protects the inherent dignity of all, while also including and strengthening protections based on:

• Neurodiversity
• Gender identity and expression
• Any physical or mental disability
• Social condition
• Source of Income
• Employment Status
• Housing Status

The Funding

Capacity funding will be granted from the General Revenue Fund so that experts in ethics and human rights law can write the Saskatchewan Human Dignity Act to bind the Government of Saskatchewan into respecting, upholding, and protecting human dignity for all.

What It Means For You

It means that by law your government must respect you.

It means no matter what, your dignity is your right.

It means meeting the expectations of the 21st Century.

FAQ

• What does "Human Dignity" mean in practice?
• It means the government is legally required to treat you with respect in everything it does. If a government policy or decision seriously harms your dignity, you have the right to challenge it.


• Does this apply to private businesses?
• Not directly under the Saskatchewan Human Dignity Act. That Act binds the provincial government and public bodies. However, the Human Rights Code will also be strengthened, and that Code continues to apply more broadly, including outside government.


• How do I make a complaint if my dignity is violated by the government?
• You would first appeal to the newly empowered Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, which will investigate and issue binding remedial directions. If you still can't find satisfaction, you may then apply to the Court of King's Bench for relief.


• Why amend the Human Rights Code?
• To strengthen and expand protections for groups that are currently under-protected, including neurodiversity, gender identity and expression, disabilities, and social conditions like housing status and source of income.


• Does this Act override other laws?
• All other laws must be read consistently with this Act to the extent possible. If a future government wants to limit these protections, it must say so clearly and expressly in the new law.