News Release Archive
HUMAN RIGHTS--HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION APPOINTMENT ----------------------------------------------------------------- Viki Samuels-Stewart of Halifax has been appointed coordinator of race relations and Affirmative Action for the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. Ms. Samuels-Stewart has extensive experience in the areas of human rights, employment equity, and human resources. She has worked with both the private and public sector, most recently as manager of employment equity with the Bank of Nova Scotia. In addition, Ms. Samuels-Stewart works in the community as a resource on equity issues, in particular with the RCMP, Henson College, and as an active member of the newly-formed Nova Scotia Employment Equity Practitioners Association. The race relations division of the commission works towards the promotion of understanding and improved relations between people of different races. Affirmative action is a program that is seen as a remedy for systemic discrimination against members of racial minorities, persons with disabilities, women, and First Nations people. Regarding the difference between employment equity and affirmative action, Ms. Samuels-Stewart said that affirmative action has a broader scope, in that it responds to various aspects of life that affect society, such as education, religion, housing, and health. Employment equity's primary focus is on equality in the workplace. -30- Contact: May Lui 902-424-4111 trp Oct. 16, 1995