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UN Asks Canada How It Makes Up For U.S. Immigration ‘Shortcomings’

Everyone wants to know how Canada deals with its "bigger neighbour."
By 

Politics Reporter, HuffPost Canada

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AFP/Getty Images
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stands near U.S. President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at the Belvedere of Taormina during the Summit of the Heads of State and of Government of the G7 on May 26, 2017 in Sicily.

An United Nations special committee went an hour over its allotted time in Geneva on Monday, asking questions to a Canadian delegation about the country's record on racial discrimination.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) asked a series of questions that covered topics from violence against Indigenous women to the fact that minority people are disproportionately represented in the country's prisons.

#UN#CERD expert asks #Canada whether it plans to take legal measures to prohibit groups inciting racist #hatespeechhttps://t.co/wFuXgP7hxDpic.twitter.com/3iOVdYKAds

— IMADR (@IMADR_Geneva) August 14, 2017

And because of Canada's proximity to the United States, experts broached the topic of how the two countries approach immigration.

"How far can your country offset the shortcomings of the bigger neighbour?" CERD committee member Marc Bossuyt asked in reference to U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration and refugee bans.

A delegation led by the Canadian Heritage department is in Switzerland to attend two days of questioning before the special UN committee.

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society executive director Cindy Blackstock and lawyer Pam Palmater are also in Geneva to attend meetings at the UN headquarters.

At one point during questioning, the U.S. member of the committee, Gay McDougall, put some pressure on Canada to lead with implementing progressive pieces of legislation to end racial discrimination.

Canada is expected to respond to the UN's suite of questions on Tuesday.

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Trudeau At The United Nations
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is welcomed by United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon as Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion looks on at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016. (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016. (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen on stage after making an announcement at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016. (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses with a woman for a photo after making remarks as he arrives at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016. (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waves as he wraps up his remarks during an event at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016. (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a meeting on gender equality at United Nations headquarters on Wednesday, March 16. (credit:Jason Szenes/EPA via CP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama chat during the state dinner. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama hug it out during the state dinner. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau and Sophie are welcomed to the White House State Dinner by President Obama and Mrs. Obama. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau speaks with Ryan Reynolds during the State Dinner at the White House in Washington. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau speaks with Sandra Oh during the State Dinner at the White House in Washington. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau speaks with Mike Myers during the State Dinner at the White House in Washington. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau speaks with Michael J. Fox during the State Dinner at the White House in Washington. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama hold a joint press conference in the Rose Garden at the White House. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau and Sophie introduce Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien to President Obama and Mrs. Obama. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau and Sophie introduce Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien to President Obama and Mrs. Obama. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama work the rope line during the welcome ceremony on the south lawn of the White House. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama stand together during the playing of the two nation's anthems during the Prime Minister's arrival at the White House. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister McKenna, and Xavier meet The Weeknd at Blair House in Washington. (credit:Facebook/Justin Trudeau)
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U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016, as they arrive for a state dinner. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
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President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walk into the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016, as they arrive for a state dinner. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does the sign of the cross after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington Cemetery Friday, March 11, 2016 in Arlington, Virginia. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
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U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walk into the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016, as they arrive for a state dinner. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
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U.S. President Barack Obama smiles during his meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Thursday, March 10, 2016, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (credit:Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as President Barack Obama speaks during a bilateral news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016. (credit:Andrew Harnik/AP)
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President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau conclude their news conference in the Rose Garden of White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016. (credit:Susan Walsh/AP)
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President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin shake hands following the conclusion of their joint news conference, Thursday, March 10, 2016, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (credit:Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2016. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
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U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and his wife Sophie Gregoire, on the Truman Balcony during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016. (credit:Andrew Harnik/AP)
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U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau review the troops on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday March 10, 2016 in Washington. Trudeau hopes to strengthen US-Canada ties during his visit to the White House. (credit:Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo)
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U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau review the troops on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday March 10, 2016 in Washington. Trudeau hopes to strengthen US-Canada ties during his visit to the White House. (credit:Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
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U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, stand for the playing of national anthems during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 10, 2016. (credit:Andrew Harnik/AP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arrives at the White House and is greeted by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, Thursday March 10, 2016 in Washington. (credit:Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds his son Hadrian as he and his wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau son Xavier, right and daughter Ella-Grace, back, step off the plane at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, March 9, 2016. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets students from D.C.'s Patterson Elementary School after he arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, March 9, 2016. (credit:Cliff Owen/AP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks towards a group of school children during a welcome ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, March 9, 2016. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
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Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau looks on as her husband Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and their youngest son Hadrien Grégoire, greet students from D.C.'s Patterson Elementary School, after their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, March 9, 2016. (credit:Cliff Owen/AP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for a state visit with his wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, left, and their children Xavier James, Ella-Grace and Hadrian, right, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, March 9, 2016. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses a packed room for Canada 2020's reception event at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C. on March 9, 2016. Trudeau is in the U.S. capital for a historic state visit with President Barack Obama. (Photo: © Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020) (credit:Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020)
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Trudeau and Grammy-winning, Oscar-nominated The Weeknd share a laugh at Canada 2020's reception event at the Renwick Gallery. (Photo: © Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020) (credit:Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020)
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Two Mounties in full red serge stand guard outside Canada 2020's event with cabinet ministers Stéphane Dion, Hunter Tootoo, Catherine McKenna, and Harjit Sajjan. (Photo: © Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020) (credit:Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020)
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(Photo: © Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020) (credit:Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020)
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The prime minister, right, and Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, left, pose with The Weeknd. (Photo: © Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020) (credit:Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020)
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Ambassador Susan Rice, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and chief of staff to the First Lady Tina Tchen mingle at the Canada 2020 reception. (Photo: © Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020) (credit:Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020)
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The prime minister and his wife meet U.S. Senators Al Franken and Debbie Stabenow. (Photo: © Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020) (credit:Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020)
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau pose outside of Canada 2020's reception at the Renwick Gallery in Washington. (Photo: © Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020) (credit:Hannah Thomson for Canada 2020)
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