Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
2014-2015 Annual Report
About the Human Rights Commission
The Northwest Territories Human Rights Act sets up three independent but interrelated branches: the commission, the Office of the Director of Human Rights, and the Adjudication panel.
The Human Rights Commission is made up of three to five members of the public, each for a term of four years. They are appointed by and responsible to the Legislative Assembly for the general administration of the act. For the fiscal year in question, Mr. Charles Dent served as Chair of the Human Rights Commission and Mr. Yacub Adam as deputy chair. The remaining members of the commission were Ms. Marion Berls, Ms. Gerri Sharpe and Ms. Bronywn Watters.
The Director of Human Rights position is also appointed by the Legislative Assembly. The director is responsible for the administration of the complaints process and for overseeing administrative support for the commission’s outreach and education efforts. The Office of the Director of Human Rights includes the director, Ms. Deborah McLeod, and commission staff members who are members of the public service.
The adjudication panel hears complaints referred by the director, as well as appeals of the director’s decisions to dismiss complaints. The adjudication panel is composed of at least three lawyers appointed by the Legislative Assembly, each for a term of two to four years. In 2014-2015 the adjudication panel was chaired by Mr. Adrian Wright. The remaining adjudication panel members were Mr. Sheldon Toner, Mr. Louis Sebert, Mr. Colin Baile, and Ms. Kerry Penney.
The Committee wishes to thank the members of the commission and the adjudication panel for their service in 2014-2015. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would now like to hand it over to my colleague, Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.