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2024 Foresights for Human Rights report highlights need for more education, more action

A man stands in front of an illustrated blue and orange a map of Canada. Partially obscured.
Ottawa - November 18, 2024 –

This morning, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) released a report that highlights both progress and challenges in the landscape of human rights in Canada.

The 2024 Foresights for Human Rights report contains preliminary findings from research undertaken by the national museum. Twenty‐five hundred Canadians weighed in on their personal experiences of human rights, their willingness to take action when they witness human rights violations, their optimism or concern for the future of human rights in Canada and elsewhere in the world, and more.

“These findings offer timely insights into the issues people in Canada are facing, where they feel we’ve made progress, and where more attention is needed,” said CMHR CEO Isha Khan. “These findings are important for organizations like ours, who are connecting with Canadians from coast‐to‐coast‐to‐coast to inspire them to take action for human rights in their communities.”

The survey, conducted by Probe Research Inc. with a representative sample of Canadians in 2023 and again in 2024, paints a compelling picture:

  • Optimism at home: Two thirds of respondents expressed optimism about the protection of human rights in Canada, particularly regarding advancements in Indigenous rights and gender equity — a significant shift over the last decade. However, the right to health care and housing were perceived to have weakened.
  • Concern abroad: Only one third of respondents felt hopeful about human rights outside of Canada, with war and violence cited as the top international issue.
  • Emerging upstanders: There has been a marked increase in upstanders — Canadians who can recognize injustice, know the tools and skills at their disposal, and are willing to take action when they witness human rights challenges. There has also been an increase in those who reported experiencing human rights violations.
  • Trust in some institutions eroding: While high levels of trust remain in teachers, human rights advocacy groups and museums, trust in other sources is eroding when it comes to human rights. Religious leaders, businesses and social media were among the least trusted on this topic.

“Our museum’s mandate goes beyond awareness; it is about inspiring action and fostering a national conversation,” said Khan. “As we delve further into these findings, and discuss them with our partners across Canada, we will translate these foresights into new exhibitions and education programs to ensure we reach Canadians where they are at and help inspire more people to become upstanders for human rights.” 

The complete Foresights for Human Rights report is available at humanrights.ca/foresights.

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