Information for complainants
INFORMATION SHEET
A printable PDF version of this information sheet is available.
The Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission is impartial. The Commission works for both the complainant and respondent in bringing about a just and fair resolution to a dispute or conflict under the jurisdiction of the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act.
There is no fee for the Commission's services and all information remains confidential. A third party may make a complaint on behalf of another individual and a complainant may stop the complaint process at any step.
It is contrary to the Act for people to retaliate against individuals seeking advice, assistance, or providing information to the Commission.
If you bring a complaint to the Commission, you will be given advice and direction on what you can do to try to resolve the problem on your own. Often, a person or organization may not be aware they have discriminated against you or others. When told of the problem or concern, people often stop the discrimination and correct any inequity it may have caused.
If your own efforts fail to resolve the problem, and you wish the Commission to become directly involved, a Human Rights and Citizenship Commission intake officer will help you file a complaint. A complainant has the legal obligation of showing that discrimination has occurred.
Once it has been determined that an act of discrimination may have occurred and it falls under the jurisdiction of the Act, Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission staff follow a number of steps to help the parties resolve the conflict. (See information sheet titled Complaint process.)
Both the complainant and respondent have the following rights:
- to be fully informed of the findings of the investigation;
- to offer a resolution at any time during the process; and
- to consult with legal counsel at their own expense, if they choose, at any stage of the process.
Please note: A complaint must be made to the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission within one year after the alleged incident.
March 2007
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.
