Zero Discrimination Day is observed on March 1st annually. It highlights the urgent need to take action to end discrimination surrounding income, sex, age, health status, occupation, disability, sexual orientation, drug use, gender identity, race, class, ethnicity and religion, which are sadly still prevalent around the world.

We have a moral obligation to remove discriminatory laws and to enact laws that protect people. Everyone has a responsibility to hold their political representatives accountable, call for change and contribute to efforts to remove unjust laws.

Canada is not immune to these injustices. Just look at the historic Black Class Action Lawsuit against our federal government for tens of thousands of racialized workers in the public sector.

At the provincial level, in Alberta, legislation has passed that negatively impacts the transgender community. Bennett Jensen, Egale Canada’s Legal Director, said recently that he’s deeply disappointed about the legislation’s consequences, and the harm it has already caused for young people since being introduced. The legislation has resulted in increased bullying, as well as more young people feeling anxious, depressed and scared.

We need to challenge any laws that discriminate against people, especially marginalized groups.