Foreword

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was adopted by the United General Assembly on December 16, 1966. Canada acceded to the Covenant on May 19, 1976.

States Parties are required to report to the United Nations on measures they have taken to give effect to the Covenant. Canada's Fourth Report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was submitted to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on October 4, 2004 and covers the period of October 1994 to September 1999. It was prepared in close collaboration by the federal, provincial and territorial governments and describes measures and initiatives taken by these governments with respect to the Covenant.

Through publication of this report, it is hoped that Canadians will be encouraged to become familiar with the measures adopted in Canada to ensure the implementation of the Covenant and to broaden their understanding of the obligations contracted by Canada through accession to this important international treaty.

Copies of the report, in both official languages, may be obtained free of charge from the Human Rights Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This report is also available on the Human Rights Program Web site at: http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/pdp-hrp/.