A/HRC/13/23/Add.2 of diverse experiences and challenges and enabling more targeted policy responses. African-descendant Canadians and some Asian Canadian communities are concerned that their children are having negative experiences in public schools. Dropout rates are particularly high among boys from these communities. Parents and community leaders described approaches to education that do not take into account different cultures of learning, as well as curriculums and textbooks that ignore their histories and contributions to Canadian society. There is a gross underrepresentation of minorities in the teaching and school administrative staff. Unemployment rates generally are significantly higher for certain minorities, income levels are lower, and minorities are disproportionately living in the poorest neighbourhoods and in social housing with relatively poor access to services. Useful legislation and policies exist in the field of employment equity, however, standards and requirements must be better enforced, first and foremost, in public service employment, to ensure that Canada’s workplaces truly reflect the diversity present in society. Highly qualified and skilled workers have been encouraged to migrate to Canada, but many of them find on their arrival that their qualifications are not recognized at the provincial and territorial levels. Many professionals are unable to gain employment in their former professions and find themselves in low-skilled, low-waged or precarious employment often for years. This is a long-standing problem, however while some efforts continue to be made to find solutions they appear to still be at an initial stage. Poverty is a problem disproportionately faced by people of colour. Poverty alleviation programmes in Canada must be targeted towards racialized communities. Responses should be holistic in nature and must recognize the complex causes of poverty that include racial discrimination and the resulting social and economic exclusion. In the field of policing, serious concerns include the use of racial profiling as a systemic practice, biased and heavy-handed policing of some minority communities and allegations of excessive use of force leading to deaths, particularly of young black males. Some minorities feel that the justice system is failing them. Arabs and Muslims reported that post September 2001, communities feel targeted, profiled and subject to unequal treatment. Finally, minorities are poorly represented in political structures and institutions at all levels of Government. 2 GE.10-11860