A/HRC/39/11 21. As part of the federal Government’s commitment to creating a better, fairer immigration detention system, in 2016, it had launched a new framework for immigration detention, which included new funding to improve detention infrastructure and provide better medical and mental health care. 22. Following national security consultations held in 2016, the Government had put forward new legislation that included the establishment of a national security and intelligence review agency and an intelligence commissioner. Taken together with other recent changes, the legislation would create a robust accountability framework for the country’s national security and intelligence activities. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 23. During the interactive dialogue, 107 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 24. Côte d’Ivoire encouraged Canada to continue its efforts to better consider the needs of minorities and indigenous peoples. 25. Croatia regretted that many indigenous communities lived without equitable access to health, education, food, housing and safe drinking water. 26. Cuba stated that indigenous peoples in Canada still faced different types of challenges, including higher rates of poverty and food insecurity. 27. Cyprus encouraged the Canadian authorities to strengthen their efforts to address unemployment faced by disadvantaged and marginalized groups. 28. Czechia welcomed measures taken to advance women’s rights and gender equality, and the intention of the Government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 29. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was concerned at the persistence of racial discrimination, the overincarceration of aboriginals and inequality. 30. Denmark stated that violence against women disproportionally affected indigenous women and that adequate levels of services and protection must be ensured. 31. Ecuador welcomed the adoption of the National Housing Strategy and invited Canada to reconsider Sustainable Development Goal 11 in its implementation. 32. Egypt urged Canada to provide the necessary protection for Muslims to enable them to participate in religious activities. 33. El Salvador commended the development of programmes and strategies for the protection of the rights of older persons. 34. Estonia commended Canada for its full support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 35. Finland encouraged Canada to continue efforts to eliminate violence against women, especially indigenous women and girls, focusing on its root causes. 36. France welcomed the high level of protection of human rights in Canada. 37. Gabon welcomed measures taken for gender equality and to combat poverty, racism and gender-based violence. 38. Georgia welcomed the commitment of Canada to providing protection to refugees through its inclusive legal framework. 39. Germany commended Canada for its strong record on the protection of civil and political rights. 40. Ghana encouraged Canada to take steps to eliminate structural obstacles that threatened the realization of women’s political rights. 4