FAQs: Role of the Chief of the Commission and Tribunals and role of the members of the Commission

  1. What is the Alberta Human Rights Commission?

    The Alberta Human Rights Commission is an independent commission of the Government of Alberta that reports to the Minister of Justice. The Commission's mandate is to foster equality and reduce discrimination. The Commission provides public information and education programs, and helps Albertans resolve human rights complaints. 

  2. What is the role of the Chief of the Commission and Tribunals as head of the Commission?

    The Chief of the Commission and Tribunals (CC&T) is responsible for keeping the Minister informed on human rights issues, for setting the overall goals of the Commission, and providing the director and the members of the Commission with guidance regarding these goals. You can read more details about the role of the CC&T in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister and the Commission.

  3. What is the role of the Chief of the Commission and Tribunals and the members of the Commission in relation to complaint resolution?

    The Chief of the Commission and Tribunals (CC&T) and the members of the Commission play an adjudicative role in complaint resolution and settlement. Their work is separate and distinct from the work of the director. The CC&T reviews appeals of decisions made by the director to dismiss or discontinue complaints. The CC&T also appoints members of the Commission to serve on human rights tribunals. The members of the Commission serve on human rights tribunals for the purpose of making quasi-judicial decisions about complaints.

  4. How are members of the Commission appointed?

    The Alberta Human Rights Act provides that the Chief of the Commission and Tribunals and the members of the Commission are appointed by Order in Council. Currently there are nine part-time members of the Commission, one full-time member of the Commission, and a full-time Chief of the Commission and Tribunals. You can read their biographies.

  5. What are the roles of the director and Commission staff in relation to complaint resolution?

    The director and staff are responsible for the resolution of complaints using the tools provided in the legislation: conciliation, investigation, dismissal, and discontinuance. If the director and staff cannot resolve a complaint that has merit, the director sends it to the Chief of the Commission and Tribunals (CC&T), who, under the Alberta Human Rights Act, must establish a human rights tribunal to hear the case. The director and staff carry out their complaint resolution duties independently from the CC&T and the members of the Commission.

Revised: December 20, 2011

 

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