New Human Rights Commission Chair Appointed

Lawyer and social worker Shawna Paris, KC (King’s counsel), has been appointed Chair of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

“I want to welcome Ms. Paris to this important role,” said Attorney General and Justice Minister Becky Druhan. “Nova Scotians expect that their rights and freedoms will be protected, and Ms. Paris has the expertise and commitment to safeguard the human rights of everyone in our province. I also want to thank outgoing commissioners Diana Brothers, Fola Adeleke, Julien Matte and Sharon Ross for their dedicated service.”

Ms. Paris, a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and a licensed, registered private practice social worker, is deeply committed to justice, equity and community in Nova Scotia and beyond.

A member of the board of directors of the Africville Heritage Trust, she also served as legal counsel for the Be the Peace Institute at the Mass Casualty Commission public inquiry and was a member of the governing council for the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children restorative inquiry.

Two new commissioners have also been appointed for two-year terms, and one has been reappointed:

• Dr. Muhammad Khan is a radiologist at IWK Health, professor of radiology at Dalhousie University and a member of the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders
• Quy Linh is a lawyer with experience in criminal, civil and corporate litigation and served on the boards of the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia and the Vietnamese Association of Nova Scotia
• Jenifer Tsang first became a commissioner in 2022 and brings significant expertise gained during her initial term and through more than 20 years as an entrepreneur.

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is an independent government agency that administers the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. It addresses issues of discrimination by advancing equity and dignity, fostering positive and respectful relationships, and protecting human rights.

Quick Facts:

• the commission maintains a minimum of three and a maximum of 12 members and meets six times per year
• the Chair of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission receives $6,000 per year, as well as $100 per half day plus expenses
• commission members receive $100 per half day plus expenses

Additional Resources:

News release – Province Announces Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission to be Modernized: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/02/27/province-announces-nova-scotia-human-rights-commission-be-modernized

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission: https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/