Director of Human Rights
The Director of Human Rights is responsible to the Commission for the administration of the Yukon Human Rights Act (the “Act“) and for ensuring that complaints are dealt with in accordance with the Act.
Karen Moir – Director of Human Rights
Karen Moir is originally from Ottawa and has lived in Yukon since 2015. She has over fifteen years of experience advancing economic, social, and cultural rights with the Government of Canada and the United Nations. Karen has a Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Laws in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex. Karen served as Chair and co-Chair during two terms on the Yukon Human Rights Commission between 2016 and 2022. She became Director of Human Rights in February 2024.
Counsel
Counsel provides legal advice, analysis, and review of complaint decisions to the Director and Commission Members. In addition to facilitating settlement of complaints, counsel represents the Commission before the Yukon Human Rights Panel of Adjudicators and on appeals and applications for judicial review.
Vida Nelson – General Counsel
Vida Nelson became legal counsel to the Commission in May 2018. She previously worked for a local law firm specializing in personal injury, family law and civil litigation. She was born and raised in the Yukon, and holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Manitoba, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Simon Fraser University. She is passionate about promoting diversity, access to justice, and new conflict resolution mechanisms.
Caroline Grady – Legal Counsel
Caroline Grady started as legal counsel for the Commission in March 2024. She was born and raised in the Yukon and is a citizen of Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Victoria, and a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University. Before starting at the Commission, Caroline worked exclusively with First Nation governments, organizations, and citizens, both at a local boutique aboriginal law firm and as a sole practitioner.
Administrative Officer
The Administrative Officer provides a wide range of administrative, financial, and operational services to ensure smooth day-to-day functioning of the office and consistent service to the public. This includes reception, office administration, document services, bookkeeping, data entry and analysis, and other clerical work as assigned.
Senior Investigator
The Senior Investigator is an operationally focused team leader who implements the inquiry and complaint processes as required by the Act, regulations, and internal policies and procedures. The position also carries out investigations and serves as strategic advisor to management on complex inquiries, complaints, and development of policy, protocols, and practice.
Human Rights Officers
Human Rights Officers implement key steps in the Commission’s enforcement of the Act, including intake and investigation of complaints. They support the Commission’s mandate to provide free legal information, conduct research, and deliver public education about human rights.
Pro Bono Students Canada
Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) was the first pro bono organization in the country and a nationally respected program that is actively supported by the bar, judiciary, and academy. PBSC was founded at the University of Toronto in 1996 and today operates in 22 law schools in Canada. Each year, PBSC harnesses the talent and drive of over 1500 law students across the country to provide legal services free of charge to low-income citizens and not-for-profit organizations.
Thank you to our amazing 2019-20 student teams from the University of Ottawa, the University of Victoria, the University of British Columbia, and McGill University. Please contact the Pro Bono Students Canada chapter at any law school in Canada if you have questions about how to apply to this program.
https://www.probonostudents.ca/
McGill International Human Rights Internships
The Commission regularly hosts one or two students from the McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism (CHRLP) each summer.
The International Human Rights Internships Program (IHRIP) is a fully credited course that allows students to earn six (6) credits toward the completion of the BCL/LLB degree. The Program interviews and selects law students for placements as interns with NGOS, courts, and public institutions for a period of 12 weeks over the summer. Partner organizations provide students with practical work experience in human rights investigation, monitoring, and reporting. The internships also provide exposure to the operation and implementation of human rights instruments and norms.
Please contact the McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism human.rights@mcgill.ca if you have questions about how to apply to this program.