The Canadian Reality: Instructor Notes

Media Review

• Instructors should discuss the issues related to as well as the elements involved in the Canadian Human Rights Act and the legislation at the provincial level in as much detail as is appropriate for the group
• For instructors in Ontario, the Ontario Human Rights Code web site includes a section on Education. It includes an excellent resource, “Teaching Human Rights in Ontario”
• Investigate the ten areas of prohibited discriminations related to employment as outlined in the Canadian Human Rights Act; make sure learners understand these areas
• Explain that the goal of the activity is to put their understanding of these ten areas into practice
• As a whole group, decide what criteria could be used to determine if media depicts individuals in a discriminatory way
• Create a checklist of the criteria
• Ask each learner to bring in examples of media (especially magazine ads and even videotaped commercials or parts of a T.V. show)
• In small groups, learners should examine the media samples; determine if there are any discriminatory elements; and record findings on chart provided
• Ask each group to present findings to the whole group

Tips for Level 5

• Ask learners to write reflections on an incident in which they felt they had been discriminated against or in which they discriminated against another individual
• Assure learners that all material will be kept strictly confidential