Chairperson's Message

Canadians have built a diverse society and are proud of the progress they have made in transforming the ideals of equality and inclusion into cultural norms. Yet true equality remains an ongoing and often elusive goal. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is an integral part of the federal government infrastructure created to achieve that goal.

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is the administrative body that hears complaints of discrimination arising throughout the federally regulated sphere. It hears from complainants and respondents alike, as well as from interested third parties, including the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Through open, fair and transparent hearings, the Tribunal assesses evidence and rules on complaints of discrimination. The Tribunal's decisions inform the parties-and Canadians-about the law as applicable to specific facts that arise in complaints. By guaranteeing open, fair and transparent hearings and by providing just and well-reasoned rulings on individual complaints of discrimination, the Tribunal helps to entrench equality into the daily lives of Canadians. Thus, the Tribunal gives real effect to these lofty ideals through practical and legally binding decisions.

For the Tribunal, a new planning cycle invariably offers a renewed opportunity to seek out process improvements and refinements in all aspects of its management and operations, and 2010-2011 is no exception. In my role as the new Chairperson of this Tribunal, I will continue to search for innovative ways to provide an effective and efficient process that allows parties to access justice in a timely fashion as we move ahead toward achieving an ideal society based on diversity, equality and fairness.

Shirish P. Chotalia, Q.C., LL.M.