Letters and messages from the chief commissioner: December 29, 2007
Chief commissioner's letter to the editor published December 29, 2007 in the Lethbridge Herald,
responding to comments about the Commission's independence and effectiveness
Re: “More work needs to be done to improve human rights,” the Lethbridge Herald, Dec. 11.
While I agree with the statement by Ed Webking that the promotion and protection of human rights in Alberta can always be enhanced, I take strong objection to his opinion that the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission is weak, lacks independence and is “not actively out in the forefront in promoting human rights and civil liberties.” As the Chief Commissioner, I feel the need to respond.
The Commission and staff are a completely independent body of the public service. In the more than 13 years I have served as the Chief Commissioner, there has never been any instance of interference or direction given to the Commission, or its staff by any branch or individual representative of any government department. As to Mr. Webking’s assertion that the Commission is not active in the promotion of human rights, I would like to suggest that he visit our website at http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca to see what 20,000 visitors each month find to be a valuable resource for better understanding human rights protection and promotion. Or, he could join the 2,500 subscribers to our electronic newsletter, also on the website and regularly bring himself up to date on our most recent initiatives and cases. Even better, he may wish to attend one of the many human rights workshops we offer – workshops that were attended by more than 3,300 Albertans in the last fiscal year.
Mr. Webking is absolutely correct when he identifies that some of Canada’s greatest challenges lie in the field of providing human rights protection to our Aboriginal and First Nations people. It is a responsibility the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission and our dedicated staff takes very seriously and it is not one that we can do alone. Ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights for all our citizens requires the ongoing support of the work of the Commission by fair-minded Albertans. Attacking the Commission does little to further our mutual work in support of human rights. Each year, thousands of Albertans who turn to the Commission and its staff are satisfied with the assistance they receive. To my mind, it is those people who serve as the best indicator of the value of the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission.
Yours sincerely,
Charlach Mackintosh
Chief Commissioner
Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission
Due to confidentiality concerns, the Commission cannot reply
to complaints of discrimination using the Internet.
Please contact the Commission by telephone or regular mail
if you have a specific complaint.
The Commission will make publications available in accessible multiple formats upon request. Multiple formats provide access for people with disabilities who do not read conventional print.
