Human Rights Inquiry to Commence

An independent board of inquiry will hear arguments to determine if it has the jurisdiction to deal with a complaint of discrimination against Halifax Regional Municipality and the province of Nova Scotia.

Lucien Comeau claims HRM and the province discriminated in the area of access to services by denying supplemental funding to schools operated by Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP). The complaint was initially filed in 2004 and referred to a board of inquiry by the Human Rights Commission in 2006.

The hearing will begin Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Harbourview, Dartmouth. It will be chaired by Lynn Connors.

"Although the allegations of discrimination are not being dealt with at the hearing on Sept. 8, it is a significant step in the processing of this complaint. This matter was referred to a board of inquiry in 2006 and, due to various court challenges, the board of inquiry chair has not yet had the opportunity to even decide her ability to hear the matter," said Krista Daley, CEO, Human Rights Commission. "I am pleased that we are back on track and that this complaint will be processed as the act provides."

A complaint is referred to an independent board of inquiry by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. The chief judge of the provincial court selects a board chair from a roster, and the commissioners confirm the nomination. The decision on the complaint is then in the hands of the independent board.

All parties have a right to appeal decisions of boards of inquiry to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.