First Restorative Justice Human Rights Board of Inquiry

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission will be holding its first restorative board of inquiry Monday, Sept. 17.

The commission has significantly restructured its investigation and adjudicative processes over the past year. This includes approaching the resolution of human rights disputes from a restorative justice perspective.

"Restorative justice is about helping all parties involved heal and move forward," said Ross Landry, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. "This new, innovative approach makes the commission a leader in how it resolves human rights-related disputes."

Nova Scotia is the first province to implement a restorative board of inquiry to resolve human rights complaints.

"Restorative justice focuses on rebuilding relationships, repairing emotional harms and developing a forward-looking plan that all the parties can take a role in creating and implementing," said David Shannon, director and CEO, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

This is consistent with the province's position as a leader in the youth criminal justice system. Nova Scotia was the first jurisdiction in the world to use restorative justice as a formal diversion program and for sentencing.

The commission's first restorative board of inquiry is being held from 10 a.m. to noon, Sept. 17, Dartmouth Sportsplex, Valardo Room, 3rd floor.

The parties involved are Marcy Gavel and the Province of Nova Scotia. The restorative facilitator is Jennifer Llewellyn from Dalhousie Schulich School of Law. The board chair is Marion Hill.

The Human Rights Commission is also planning restorative justice related events for the public and media to attend in the fall.