Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Amendment Act, 2009
April 28, 2009No CommentsLegislation strengthens Alberta’s commitment to human rights
Apr 28, 2009
The Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Amendment Act, 2009 will update legislation that has not been revised in the almost 13 years since it first became law. Proposed changes include adding sexual orientation to the scope of the Act, which will ensure it is consistent with current legislative and judicial decisions. The rights of parents on the education of their children would also be confirmed under proposed amendments.
Amendments will also clarify the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission’s role and will establish a new process to improve the handling of appeals as they arise, by ensuring they are directed to members of a Tribunal.
The proposed legislative amendments complement several administrative changes being made to the Commission to reduce the time it takes to review a complaint, and to improve its services to Albertans. These changes are supported through an additional $1.7 million to the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission in Budget 2009 – an increase of 26 per cent – to enhance the system’s ability to investigate and mediate complaints in a timely manner, while maintaining fairness to all parties in the process.
Human Rights, Legislative