Advancing Human Rights in Canada: Insights from the Career and Jurisprudence of Prakash Diar (LEG00319)

Overview

Delivery method

Virtual classroom

Duration

2 hours

Audience

Employees

Description

This learning session features renowned human rights lawyer and retired DOJ counsel Prakash Diar, whose career spans international anti apartheid advocacy, landmark Canadian human rights litigation, and decades of public service advancing equality and systemic fairness.

Participants will explore the enduring impact of the NCARR Case (1997)—a foundational Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling led by Mr. Diar—which established permanent corrective measures to address systemic racial discrimination within a federal department. The jurisprudence resulting from this decision has since informed equity and special measures initiatives across multiple federal organizations and continues to shape modern interpretations of substantive equality and section 15(2) of the Charter.

Building on his extensive career—including published work, international advocacy, and national recognition for human rights leadership—Mr. Diar will offer reflections on the intersection of law, policy, ethics, and institutional accountability. His lived experience and professional insight provide a unique perspective on how public institutions can meaningfully advance anti racism and uphold human rights commitments.

Learning Objectives/ Topics covered

Knowledge

• Explain the significance of the NCARR Case and its contributions to Canadian human rights jurisprudence.
• Describe principles of substantive equality and Charter based special measures.
• Connect international human rights advocacy to Canadian legal frameworks.

Skills

• Analyze systemic discrimination remedies and their application within federal institutions.
• Apply learnings from the NCARR jurisprudence to contemporary equity and anti racism initiatives.
• Identify organizational barriers and opportunities for improving workplace culture and inclusiveness.

Values & Behaviours

• Reflect on the importance of courage, integrity, and accountability in advancing human rights.
• Recognize the role of lived experience and diverse perspectives in shaping equitable policy and legal outcomes.

This course is bilingual, with interpretation available in both official languages.

Client: Anti-Racism and Anti Discrimination Secretariat in collaboration with the Centre of Expertise for Learning and Professional Development (CoELPD).

Registration deadline: 5 working days prior to the course date.

Participants are responsible for adding their training activities to their Outlook calendars.

Cancelling your registration: Simply log into your JUScampus account and select "Unregister" from this event page.

Accommodation Measures: The Department of Justice is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free learning environment. If you need workplace accommodations to fully participate in this training, contact your manager or the Centre for Workplace Access-Ability, Health and Wellness. Please note, the CWAHW requires at least 72 hours to respond.

Please contact the Centre of Expertise for Learning and Professional Development (CoELPD):

• For training material, at least 5 business days before the training session if needed in advance.
• To flag any other requests or accommodations needs, at least 10 business days before the training session.
• For more information or if you have any issues with this course.

For information about the continuing professional development (CPD) hours for this course, please consult the 2026 Accreditation Summary.

If you have questions concerning the accreditation process, please contact our accreditation team by email (Accreditations@justice.gc.ca).