Conflict of Interest Application Denied

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION--Conflict of Interest Application Denied in Kaiser Board

A human rights board of inquiry has ruled that a government lawyer can represent the provincial cabinet in an upcoming hearing. The board will consider the complaint of H. Archibald Kaiser against the executive council of Nova Scotia in January.

At the preliminary hearing held on Wednesday, Oct. 31, the commission and Mr. Kaiser asked the chair to find that the Department of Justice lawyer representing the executive council had a conflict of interest and should be disqualified. They also requested that any lawyer employed with the Department of Justice be disqualified from acting as counsel because of a conflict of interest.

Mr. Kaiser and the commission will not appeal the chair's decision.

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