Saskatchewan's tradition of protecting human rights began with The Saskatchewan Bill of Rights Act, 1947, the first general human rights statute in North America. In 1972 Saskatchewan established the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, and in 1979 it amalgamated and improved all previous human rights legislation by enacting The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code. The Code outlines the structure and duties of the commission, establishes a complaint process and contains provisions for equity programs and exemptions.
Over the past 17 years, the Code has become outdated. The commission structure requires improvement, and the complaint system has proved unable to deal with the volume and complexity of human rights complaints or with problems of systemic discrimination.
At the request of the then Minister of Justice, the Honourable Robert Mitchell, Q.C., the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission began a review of the Code in 1993. Public consultation was central the review process. The commission held 20 round table discussions throughout Saskatchewan and public meetings in Prince Albert, LaRonge, North Battleford, Regina, Estevan, Swift Current, Yorkton and Saskatoon.
This report contains recommendations to enhance human rights protection in Saskatchewan by amending The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, introducing and strengthening related legislative provisions, and giving the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission the financial support necessary to fulfil its mandate. Part Two recommends modifications to the commission's structure and process to improve its operations. Part Three addresses the complaint system, and recommends ways of making both investigation and adjudication more efficient and effective. Part Four recommends changes to the prohibited grounds of discrimination and other aspects of the Code. Part Five considers ways of sharing human rights responsibilities. Part Six discusses four responses to systemic discrimination.
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