Thank you, Madam Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations has submitted its report number 1-17(4) on the Review of the 2011-2012 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report.
The committee’s report, which includes three recommendations, was read into the record by the chair of the committee, and with the kind consent of the Assembly, a motion was passed to move the report into Committee of the Whole.
This report thanks the past chair, members, and staff of the Human Rights Commission for their exemplary efforts to promote the understanding of human rights and responsibilities amongst our citizens.
The report recommends that the Legislative Assembly’s Board of Management provide sufficient additional funding for legal expenses on
an ongoing basis to permit the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission to continue becoming a party to all complaints referred to the NWT Human Rights Adjudication Panel.
The report recommends, as well, that the Board of Management provide sufficient additional funding for the Human Rights Commission to review the NWT Human Rights Act in the context of current Canadian human rights legislation and Northwest Territories realities and make recommendations in its next annual report.
It is more than 10 years since the NWT Human Rights Act came into force. This is a year of transition for the council with a new chair, new members and a new director. The committee considers that this is an opportune time for a fresh look at human rights legislation in the NWT.