BC Human Rights Tribunal

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News & Updates

News

  • Fall 2021 updates

    November 25, 2021 

    The government amended the Human Rights Code effective November 25, 2021 to add Indigenous identity as a ground of discrimination. In Expanding Our Vision: Cultural Equality & Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights, Ardith Walpetko We’dalx Walkem recommended that the Tribunal advocate to add Indigenous identity as a protected ground to the Code. That recommendation has been fulfilled with the amendment. Please use the print form to make a complaint on the basis of Indigenous identify. We are updating the online form. 

    November 17, 2021 

    The government introduced legislation to amend the Human Rights Code to add Indigenous identity as a protected ground. See news release. This is one of the recommendations in Expanding our Vision: Cultural Equality and Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights. 

    The bill comes into force on Royal Assent. 

    November 8, 2021 

    The Tribunal has issued a new Practice Direction as an interim emergency measure to address the significantly increased workload at the Tribunal, including the large number of outstanding applications to dismiss complaints made under s. 27 of the Code. See: Emergency Pause on New Applications to Dismiss.

    September 15, 2021

    Many people are filing complaints about vaccine requirements. Before filing a complaint, see Vaccine Requirement Complaints. 

  • Summer 2021 updates

    August 16, 2021 

    The Tribunal has introduced a new logo. 

    July 28, 2021 

    BCHRT’s Annual Report 2020-2021 has been filed with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and is now available to the public. 

    July 12, 2021 

    Emily Ohler has been appointed chair of the BC Human Rights Tribunal effective August 1, 2021 for a three-year term. See the government press release. 

  • Notice to Counsel appearing before the Human Rights Tribunal

    April 28, 2021

    Re: Expectations of Counsel

    The purpose of this notice is to draw counsel’s attention to the obligations to conduct themselves in a respectful, trauma-informed manner when appearing before the Tribunal, as set out in:

    • Rule 7(4)-(7) of the Tribunal’s Rules of Practice and Procedure
    • Sections 4-5 of the Tribunal’s Mediation Policy respecting trauma-informed process and Indigenous justice, truth, and reconciliation
    • The Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia, including:
      • the canons of legal ethics [2.1-2 (duty to client), 2.1-3 (duty to other lawyers), 2.1-5 (duty to oneself), 2.2 (integrity)];
      • the lawyer and the administration of justice [c. 5.6-1]
      • competence [c. 3.1-2]

    The Benchers of the Law Society have issued a statement that lawyer competence includes:

    • knowledge of the history of Aboriginal-Crown Relations
    • the history and legacy of residential schools
    • specific legislation regarding Indigenous Peoples in Canada

    We encourage all lawyers involved with cases involving Indigenous Peoples and/or those who have experienced historical trauma and discrimination to develop their competencies in those areas.

  • The Tribunal welcomes two new members

    The Tribunal welcomes two new members to our team: Simmy Chauhan and Jessica Derynck. Ms. Chauhan and Ms. Derynck were both appointed as full-time Tribunal Members for six month terms commencing April 6, 2021 and April 12, 2021, respectively. 

  • March 2021 updates

    March 22, 2021 

    Tribunal will set automatic mediation dates starting April 6, 2021. When the Tribunal notifies the parties that a complaint is proceeding, it will set a mediation date. Mediation remains voluntary. Parties can opt out or ask for a date change, if necessary. This change is aimed to gain efficiencies in the process by reducing delay and removing the time-consuming task of canvassing parties for their availability. 

    March 22, 2021 

    The Tribunal has made two minor amendments to its Rules of Practice and Procedure: 

    1. Rule 12 is amended for consistency with the BC Court of Appeal’s decision in Gichuru v. Vancouver Swing Society, 2021 BCCA 103. Where rule 12(2) is satisfied, the Tribunal is adopting the language of “proceeding with a complaint” rather than “accepting the complaint for filing”. 
    1. Rule 14 is amended for consistency with the Tribunal’s new practice that permits participants to agree to the terms of an Agreement to Participate in Mediation without signing the Agreement. 

  • February 2021 updates

    February 26, 2021 

    The Tribunal has adopted a Mediation Policy, which covers: 

    • Purpose of Mediation 
    • Trauma-Informed Process 
    • Indigenous Justice, Truth and Reconciliation 
    • Conditions of Participation, including Standards of Conduct 
    • Participants 
    • The Role of the Mediator 
    • What happens before, at, and after a Mediation  

    The Tribunal updated the Agreement to Participate in Mediation to add clause 3, which addresses standards of conduct in mediation. 

    February 17, 2021 

    Tribunal announces new process for mask wearing complaints. 

    February 11, 2021 

    Indigenous Tribunal Members Appointed. Following the release of the Report of Ardith Walpetko We’dalx Walkem QC, Expanding Our Vision: Cultural Equality&Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights, the Expanding Our Vision Implementation Committee identified increasing Indigenous representation within the Tribunal as the first priority. The Tribunal held an information session for Indigenous lawyers and undertook a rigorous hiring process that attracted many qualified applicants. As a result of that process, three Indigenous lawyers have been appointed as Tribunal members for four-year terms: 

    February 1, 2021 

    Acting Chair Appointed. Paul Singh has been appointed Acting Chair of the BC Human Rights Tribunal effective February 1, 2021. 

    Mr. Singh’s appointment is for a six-month term until a full-time Chair is appointed through a merit-based recruitment process. He replaces Diana Juricevic (Vandor), following her appointment to the Provincial Court, effective Feb. 1, 2021. 

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