Canadian Human Rights Commission Reports Surge in First Nations Complaints

Screening Process Key to Handling Caseload: 2012 Annual Report

OTTAWA, March 20, 2013 /CNW/ - In its 2012 Annual Report tabled today in the House of Commons, the Canadian Human Rights Commission describes an important increase in discrimination complaints brought by members of First Nations communities against their own governments as well as the Government of Canada.

The increase reflects the impact of an amendment by Parliament to the Canadian Human Rights Act that enabled people on First Nations reserves to bring complaints about matters under the Indian Act, previously shielded from human rights scrutiny.

"This is an encouraging and important outcome," said David Langtry, Acting Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

"The sheer volume of complaints tells us that Aboriginal people are beginning to use the Canadian Human Rights Act to improve their lives by holding their own governments as well as the federal government accountable for human rights," he said.

The Commission is relying on its screening and dispute resolution processes to resolve the majority of complaints. Mediation and other dispute resolution techniques ensure effective administration of justice in many cases without the need of a hearing before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

The 2012 Annual Report is available on the Commission's website and at chrcreport.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Human Rights Commission

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