Board of Inquiry to Hear Complaint

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission announced today a Board of Inquiry will hear the complaint of H. Archibald Kaiser against the Executive Council of Nova Scotia.

Mr. Kaiser, a Dalhousie law professor, laid a complaint in March 1996 against the Executive Council and several politicians and government officials on the basis of political belief, affiliation or activity.

He alleges that his applications for membership on the Criminal Code Review Board and Psychiatric Facilities Review Board were unsuccessful because of his lack of Liberal party affiliation. He also alleges that his views and activities about the situation of people with mental disabilities are a form of political belief and activity, and that he was discriminated against on this basis also.

The present board of inquiry is appointed to hear Mr. Kaiser's complaint against the Executive Council only. The commission discontinued the complaint against the politicians and government officials. The commission also discontinued Kaiser's complaint that he had been discriminated against because of his association with people with mental disabilities.

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission previously appointed a board of inquiry to hear the complaint on July 31, 1998. In March 1999 this appointment was struck down by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court because of procedural errors. The complaint was returned to the commission for further work.

Boards of inquiry are the final step in Nova Scotia's human rights complaint process. Although the commission decides if a board will be appointed, the chief judge of the Provincial Court nominates who will chair it. Boards of inquiry are independent, public hearings into complaints of discrimination.

Dates for the board of inquiry are yet to be set.

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (902) 424-3137 e-mail: [email protected]