Highlights

• An improvement in the percentage of active cases aged two years and older in our caseload, from 27% in 2002 to 15% in 2003 and 9% in 2004.

• A 26% reduction over a period of two years in the total active caseload, from 1,287 cases in 2002 to 1,219 in 2003 and 955 cases in 2004.

• An increase of 70% over 2002 in the number of final decisions.

• A relatively steady trend in the number of complaints settled through mediation and conciliation: 46% in 2003 and 41% in 2004. In addition, a more rigorous monitoring system of settlements was introduced.

• A 37% decrease in the number of cases referred to Tribunal.¹

• A 100% increase in the number of cases referred to alternative redress mechanisms.

• From 1997 to 2004, 282 employers, representing 77% of the workforce covered by the Employment Equity Act, have been audited.

• An increase in the number of employers found in compliance to 44, a record number and slightly above the 40 found in compliance in 2003 and 32 in 2002.

• The representation of persons with disabilities in the public sector has increased from 3.9% in 1997 to 5.7% in 2003.

• The Commission established a new discrimination prevention unit to work with employers to improve the human rights culture in the workplace.

• The Commission released a special report on the human rights of women in the federal correctional system.

• The Commission acted as an intervener before the Supreme Court of Canada in the Government of Canada’s reference of the same-sex marriage issue.

• The Commission participated in a Supreme Court of Canada hearing of House of Commons et al. v. Satnam Vaid et al. This case deals with the question of whether the Canadian Human Rights Act applies to parliamentary employees.

• The Federal Court of Appeal rendered a decision in the pay equity case Canadian Human Rights Commission v. Air Canada. The appeal court gave a broad interpretation to the meaning of “establishment” under the Canadian Human Rights Act, ensuring that pay equity requirements apply broadly throughout Air Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada has given Air Canada leave to appeal.

¹ See Figure 3 – Explanation provided for cases referred to Tribunal.