Standing Table on Human Rights

The promotion and protection of human rights remains integral to Canadian foreign policy. Amid growing attacks on human rights defenders and global uncertainty marked by armed conflicts, democratic backsliding, economic insecurity, geopolitical tensions, and threats to the rules-based international system, Canada’s leadership on the promotion and protection of human rights is critical.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Standing Table on Human Rights was launched in February 2025 and brings together Canadian civil society leaders and human rights experts to provide independent advice to the Minister and senior officials. Drawing on diverse perspectives and areas of expertise, the Standing Table helps inform human rights considerations across all aspects of Canada’s foreign policy.

Members

• Payam Akhavan, S.J.D., OOnt, FRSC, Professor of International Law, Human Rights Chair and Senior Fellow, Massey College, University of Toronto; Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague; Associate Member of the Institut de droit international (Institute of International Law) (since 2025)
• Annie Bunting, Professor of Law & Society, York University; York Research Chair in International Gender Justice & Peacebuilding (since 2026)
• Kirsten Francescone, Assistant Professor, Human Rights and Global Development, Trent University (since 2026)
• Rachael Kay, Executive Director, IFEX (since 2025)
• Doug Kerr, Executive Director, Dignity Network Canada (since 2025)
• France-Isabelle Langlois, Executive Director, Amnesty International Canada (since 2025)
• Sheryl Lightfoot, Professor, Political Science and Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; North American Expert, United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (since 2025)
• Odette McCarthy, Executive Director, Equitas — International Centre for Human Rights Education (since 2025)
• Donald Nicholls, M.S.M., Director of Justice and Correctional Services, Cree Nation Government (since 2025)
• Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada (since 2025)
• John Packer, Associate Professor of Law, University of Ottawa (since 2025)
• Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General, Global Centre for Pluralism (since 2025)
• Karine Ruel, Executive Director, Lawyers Without Borders Canada (since 2025)
• Wendy H. Wong, Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair, University of British Columbia (since 2025)

Past Members

• Amanda Dale, Fellow, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa (2025)
• Farida Deif, Canada Director, Human Rights Watch (2025)