Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to provide opening comments on Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act, No. 3.
Bill 15 amends the Human Rights Act to make the director of human rights an employee in the public service. The director will continue to be appointed by the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, for a term of four years.
Bill 15 also allows the Legislative Assembly to make appointments to the Human Rights Adjudication Panel for terms ranging from two to four years. The amendment is proposed to help ensure that there is staggered turnover on the adjudication panel. It is anticipated that the vast majority of appointments to the panel will continue to be for four-year terms, such as the two appointments made to the panel earlier today.
Finally, Bill 15 allows the adjudication panel to appoint its own chairperson when both the chair and the deputy chair are absent or unable to act. This amendment ensures that the work of the panel is not unduly delayed for want of a chairperson.
In keeping with the Caucus protocol on legislation originating from the Board of Management, these amendments do not amend any of the substantive clauses of the Human Rights Act. They are administrative in manner and fall under those sections of the act that are administered by the Board of Management and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
I would be happy to answer any questions you might have on the bill.