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The Commission’s Mandate
The Canadian Human Rights Commission’s founding legislation inspires a vision for Canada in which "all individuals should have an opportunity equal with other individuals to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have," free from discrimination.
The Commission leads the administration of the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) and ensures compliance with the Employment Equity Act (EEA). The CHRA prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability and conviction for which a pardon has been granted. The EEA promotes equality in the workplace of the four designated groups: women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.
Both laws apply the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination to federal government departments and agencies, Crown corporations and federally regulated private sector organizations. The provinces and territories have laws similar to the CHRA that address discrimination.
Following many years of debate, the section of the CHRA that denied First Nations peoples full access to human rights law was repealed by Parliament in June 2008. The repeal is a milestone in the development of human rights law in Canada.
Responsibilities
The Commission has a mandate under the CHRA to promote equality of opportunity and to protect individuals from discrimination in employment and in the provision of services. A key part of the Commission’ s mandate is to engage in promotion and prevention activities that will foster public understanding of the role and activities of the Commission and of its core principle: equality of opportunity. The mandate also includes receiving and processing complaints, investigating those that are determined to be within the Commission’s jurisdiction, and making a determination as to the outcome: dismissal, conciliation, or a hearing by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Throughout the complaints process, the Commission encourages settlements by providing opportunities for dialogue and mediation.
Under the EEA, the Commission audits federally regulated employers to ensure that they are providing equal opportunities for employment. In doing so, the Commission contributes to the elimination of employment barriers in the workplace.
| Commissioners |
| Chief Commissioner: Jennifer Lynch, Q.C. |
| Deputy Chief Commissioner: David Langtry |
| Part-time Commissioners: Robin A.M. Baird, Sandi Bell, Yvonne M. Boyer, Roch A. Fournier |
From left to right: Robin A.M. Baird, Sandi Bell, Yvonne M. Boyer, Roch A. Fournier and David Langtry.
