CHP 3 Flashcards
What is inequality?
Inequality in Canada refers to the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities, notably seen in income disparities, poverty, and access to services, with certain groups—such as racialized, Indigenous, and low-income individuals—facing significant disadvantages.
What is the difference between equality, equity, and justice?
Equality gives everyone the same opportunities and resources, regardless of their circumstances.
Equity acknowledges different needs and provides resources accordingly to achieve fair outcomes.
Justice addresses systemic barriers, ensuring long-term fairness and equal opportunities for all.
What is the extent and nature of income inequality in Canada?
Income inequality in Canada has increased significantly, with the top 1% earning a large portion of national income, while over 1 million children live in low-income households, particularly affecting racialized and Indigenous communities.
How does income inequality impact the criminal justice system in Canada?
Income inequality leads to marginalized groups, such as low-income individuals, being overrepresented in the criminal justice system due to limited access to legal resources, higher rates of mental health issues, and socio-economic factors that increase criminalization.
What is the extent and nature of gender inequality in Canada?
Gender inequality in Canada is reflected in wage gaps, higher poverty rates for female lone-parent families, and barriers to employment and leadership positions for women, with particular disadvantages for Indigenous women.
How does gender inequality impact the criminal justice system in Canada?
Gender inequality in the criminal justice system results in women, especially Indigenous and racialized women, facing higher rates of victimization, such as intimate partner violence, and being more likely to experience systemic bias when reporting crimes.
What is the history and nature of racial inequality in Canada?
Racial inequality in Canada stems from colonialism and systemic racism, with racialized groups such as Black, Indigenous, and South Asian communities facing higher rates of poverty, discrimination, and limited access to opportunities.
How does racial inequality impact the criminal justice system in Canada?
Racial inequality leads to the overrepresentation of Indigenous and Black people in the criminal justice system. They are more likely to be targeted by police, face harsher sentencing, and be disproportionately incarcerated.
What are the experiences of Indigenous peoples in the Canadian criminal justice system?
Indigenous peoples are overrepresented in the criminal justice system due to the legacy of colonization, residential schools, and systemic discrimination, which contribute to high rates of incarceration, substance abuse, and socio-economic marginalization.
What are the experiences of religious minorities in the Canadian criminal justice system?
Religious minorities, such as Muslims and Jews, experience discrimination and hate crimes, with incidents of Islamophobia and antisemitism on the rise. These groups often face systemic bias and inadequate legal protection in the justice system.
What are the experiences of sexual minorities in the Canadian criminal justice system?
LGBTQ2S+ individuals, especially youth, face higher rates of discrimination, victimization, and violence. They are also at greater risk of experiencing bias and inadequate support from the criminal justice system.
How do aspects of identity (race/ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation) relate to victimization and hate crimes?
Individuals from marginalized groups—racialized, gender-diverse, and sexual minorities—are more likely to experience hate crimes and discrimination. Their identities often make them targets for violence and systemic bias in the criminal justice system.
What is the concept of intersectionality, and what legal case led to its conceptualization?
Intersectionality refers to how overlapping identities (e.g., race, gender, sexuality) compound experiences of discrimination. In Canada, cases like those involving Indigenous and LGBTQ2S+ individuals highlight how multiple forms of bias intersect to affect their experiences within society and the criminal justice system.
