November 19, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Whitehorse, Yukon]
Yukon Human Rights Commission Annual Report Tabled in Legislative Assembly
The Yukon Human Rights Commission is pleased to announce that its 2023-24 Annual Report has been officially tabled by the Honourable Jeremy Harper, Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the Commission’s operations and ongoing commitment to promoting and protecting human rights throughout the territory.
The Commission is independent from all levels of government. Our work includes offering impartial legal information to members of the public, providing education and outreach to discourage and eliminate discrimination, undertaking human rights-related research, as well as administering the complaint settlement and investigation functions of the Human Rights Act.
This year’s Annual Report highlights significant milestones. The Commission closed 28 human rights complaints through early resolution, investigation and adjudication; fielded 304 formal inquiries from the public;[1] and delivered 36 training sessions, 40% of which were in communities. Nonetheless, the backlog of complaints carried forward from previous years continues to grow.
Like other statutory human rights agencies across the country, our capacity has not kept pace with the need for our services. As highlighted by the Ombudsman, the Commission receives only a fraction of the funding of comparable offices in the Yukon and other jurisdictions. Long timelines impact the individuals, organizations and businesses on both sides of human rights complaints. We have a responsibility to advocate for adequate resources and systemic change.
The Commission extends its gratitude to the team, partners and broader justice community who inspire and support this challenging work. Please visit our website or contact our office if you would like to learn more about your rights or how to protect the rights of others.
The Annual Report is now publicly available for review in both official languages. To access the current and all past reports please visit https://yukonhumanrights.ca/annual-reports/.
Michael Dougherty, Chair
Yukon Human Rights Commission
For media inquiries, please contact:
Phone: 867-633-6226
Email: info@yukonhumanrights.ca