A/HRC/11/L.10
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also conducted online consultations through a web portal. Canada worked with all the actors
involved in the implementation of the recommendations or on which the recommendations
would have an impact to prepare its national response for the plenary session. Interest in the
follow-up to the review had been strong, from Governments to civil society organizations and
Parliamentarians. Two parliamentary committees were examining the results of the universal
periodic review of Canada. In support to these ongoing discussions, the Government of Canada
committed to submit the outcome of the review of Canada to its Parliament.
246. Canada elaborated on some issues addressed in its written responses. Regarding Aboriginal
peoples, new funding had been allocated to support training to improve labour market outcomes
for Aboriginal people and to address First Nations on-reserve housing, as well as infrastructure
needs. Canada continued to support practical partnership approaches with Aboriginal
organizations and provincial and territorial governments on the delivery of First Nations and
Inuit health programme and child and family services. On 11 June 2008, the Prime Minister of
Canada had offered a historic statement of apology to former students of Indian residential
schools. A truth and reconciliation commission had been established in 2008 and Canada
committed to considering its future recommendations.
247. Governments in Canada were working to advance equality for women and to ensure the
protection of their rights, including by exploring ways to facilitate women’s labour force
participation and economic security, improve the lives of Inuit, Métis and First Nations women,
both on and off reserve, and address violence against women. Domestic violence courts had been
established in many jurisdictions. Canada committed to identifying the causes of violence against
Aboriginal women and developing appropriate responses, in consultation with Aboriginal and
civil society organizations. Governments were working together to strengthen preventative
measures and improve the response of the criminal justice system to violence against all women,
including Aboriginal women.
248. Governments in Canada were taking measures to respond to the social and economic needs
of Canadians. Provincial and territorial governments had policies and programmes aimed at
reducing poverty; four had implemented poverty reduction strategies. As a result of these
measures, in the past decade, low-income rates for seniors, women, and children had fallen
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