Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission: Difference between revisions
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The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) was established in the Nova Scotia, Canada in 1967 to administer the Nova Scotia ''Human Rights Act''. The Commission is an arm's length independent agency of government accountable to the Department of Justice for budgetary issues. |
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) was established in the [[Nova Scotia]], [[Canada]] in 1967 to administer the Nova Scotia ''Human Rights Act''. The Commission is an arm's length independent agency of government accountable to the Department of Justice for budgetary issues. |
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The Commission's mandate under the Act includes: preventing discrimination through public education and public policy; and looking into situations where discriminatory behaviour exists.<ref>http://humanrights.gov.ns.ca/</ref> |
The Commission's mandate under the Act includes: preventing discrimination through public education and public policy; and looking into situations where discriminatory behaviour exists.<ref>http://humanrights.gov.ns.ca/</ref> |
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==Abilities== |
==Abilities== |
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'''Halifax Metro Transit Accessibility Improvements''' |
'''Halifax Metro Transit Accessibility Improvements''' |
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Disabled transit riders in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, are seeing improved accessibility in 2011. Halifax Metro Transit engaged in a wide-ranging dialogue, facilitated by the Commission, with two passengers who use wheelchairs. These conversations created many striking improvements in in services. The resolutions, available on the Commission's website, begin resolve the accessibility concerns shared by the larger disabled communities around Halifax's public transportation. For those with mobility challenges, public transportation is a essential service to engage work, school, and cultural life. |
Disabled transit riders in [[Halifax Regional Municipality]], Nova Scotia, are seeing improved accessibility in 2011. Halifax Metro Transit engaged in a wide-ranging dialogue, facilitated by the Commission, with two passengers who use wheelchairs. These conversations created many striking improvements in in services. The resolutions, available on the Commission's website, begin resolve the accessibility concerns shared by the larger disabled communities around Halifax's public transportation. For those with mobility challenges, public transportation is a essential service to engage work, school, and cultural life. |
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These significant changes are being implemented the fall of 2011. All low floor buses, for example, will accept wheelchair passengers unless the physical stop cannot accommodate the bus ramp and/or other safety concerns. These changes are adressing complaints that access to buses was unduly restricted due to policy rather than actual operational needs or limitations. Previously, policy dictated that low floor buses could pick up passengers only when the entire route was designated accessible (i.e, every stop on the route was determined to be an accessible stop). A full inventory and upgrade of the non-accessible stops is also underway. Details on the changes are found below.<ref name=setup> http://humanrights.gov.ns.ca/node/73</ref> |
These significant changes are being implemented the fall of 2011. All low floor buses, for example, will accept wheelchair passengers unless the physical stop cannot accommodate the bus ramp and/or other safety concerns. These changes are adressing complaints that access to buses was unduly restricted due to policy rather than actual operational needs or limitations. Previously, policy dictated that low floor buses could pick up passengers only when the entire route was designated accessible (i.e, every stop on the route was determined to be an accessible stop). A full inventory and upgrade of the non-accessible stops is also underway. Details on the changes are found below.<ref name=setup> http://humanrights.gov.ns.ca/node/73</ref> |
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==LGBT== |
==LGBT== |
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The Commission participates in the annual Gay Pride Parade. |
The Commission participates in the annual Gay [[Pride Parade]]. |
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==International Human Rights Day== |
==International Human Rights Day== |
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The Commission sponsor the annual International Human Rights Day (December 10). |
The Commission sponsor the annual International [[Human Rights Day]] (December 10). |
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==Legislation== |
==Legislation== |
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Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is the first commission in Canada to engage a restorative dispute resolution process. |
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is the first commission in Canada to engage a restorative dispute resolution process. With this change, the Commission will move away from a primarily punative approach to addressing issues toward a more collaborative, restorative approach with all the parties involved. |
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==Controversies== |
==Controversies== |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 18:13, 20 November 2011
 | This TOPIC needs more links to other articles to help integrate it into the encyclopedia. (November 2011) |
| Independent agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Type | independent |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Nova Scotia |
| Headquarters | Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia |
| Employees | 21.0 FTE (2009-2010) |
| Annual budget | CAD$2.1 million (2009-2010) |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Independent agency executives |
|
| Parent department | Department of Justice |
| Website | Template:Http://humanrights.gov.ns.ca/ |
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) was established in the Nova Scotia, Canada in 1967 to administer the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. The Commission is an arm's length independent agency of government accountable to the Department of Justice for budgetary issues.
The Commission's mandate under the Act includes: preventing discrimination through public education and public policy; and looking into situations where discriminatory behaviour exists.[1]
Abilities
Halifax Metro Transit Accessibility Improvements Disabled transit riders in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, are seeing improved accessibility in 2011. Halifax Metro Transit engaged in a wide-ranging dialogue, facilitated by the Commission, with two passengers who use wheelchairs. These conversations created many striking improvements in in services. The resolutions, available on the Commission's website, begin resolve the accessibility concerns shared by the larger disabled communities around Halifax's public transportation. For those with mobility challenges, public transportation is a essential service to engage work, school, and cultural life.
These significant changes are being implemented the fall of 2011. All low floor buses, for example, will accept wheelchair passengers unless the physical stop cannot accommodate the bus ramp and/or other safety concerns. These changes are adressing complaints that access to buses was unduly restricted due to policy rather than actual operational needs or limitations. Previously, policy dictated that low floor buses could pick up passengers only when the entire route was designated accessible (i.e, every stop on the route was determined to be an accessible stop). A full inventory and upgrade of the non-accessible stops is also underway. Details on the changes are found below.[2]
International Day of Persons with Disabilities The Commision co-hosts an annual sympostium in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
LGBT
The Commission participates in the annual Gay Pride Parade.
International Human Rights Day
The Commission sponsor the annual International Human Rights Day (December 10).
Legislation
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is the first commission in Canada to engage a restorative dispute resolution process. With this change, the Commission will move away from a primarily punative approach to addressing issues toward a more collaborative, restorative approach with all the parties involved.
Controversies
See also
- Human Rights in Canada
- Canadian Human Rights Commission
- Canadian Human Rights Commission free speech controversy
- Court of Appeal for Nova Scotia
- Supreme Court of Canada
- Canadian Islamic Congress human rights complaint against Maclean's Magazine