News Release Archive

JUSTICE/HUMAN RIGHTS--MARY MACLENNAN APPOINTED CHAIRPERSON
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Mary MacLennan of Halifax, a commissioner with the Nova Scotia
Human Rights Commission since 1994, has been appointed
chairperson of the commission.

Ms. MacLennan succeeds Dr. Kenneth Ozmon, whose term expired at
the end of February. She is the first woman to be appointed as
chairperson of the commission.

Ms. MacLennan received a master of public administration degree
and a bachelor of law degree from Dalhousie University, as well
as a bachelor of arts degree from St. Francis Xavier University.
She was called to the Bar of Nova Scotia in 1979, and practised
as a sole practitioner of law from 1982 to 1990. She is now a
private consultant.

Ms. MacLennan has extensive experience in the area of human
rights, having worked with the community, the universities and
three levels of government.

In 1981 - 1982 she was provincial co-ordinator of the Nova Scotia
League for Equal Opportunity. From 1990 to 1992 she served as the
City of Halifax's co-ordinator of multiculturalism and race
relations. In 1995, Ms. MacLennan was appointed a commissioner
with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

In addition to her professional career, Ms. MacLennan has chaired
or spoken at various human rights, sensitivity and diversity
workshops. She has also served as a resource person at human
rights. She is a director with Wee Care Developmental Centre, and
this year was appointed as a member of the (National) Advisory
Committee on the Interim Moratorium on Reproductive and Genetic
Technologies.

"Mary MacLennan brings a solid background to the position of
chairperson," said Justice Minister Bill Gillis, minister
responsible for the administration of the Nova Scotia Human
Rights Act.

"Her interest and involvement with human rights issues are well
known. I am confident she will provide active leadership in her
new role with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission," he said.

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Contact: Justice Minister Bill Gillis  902-424-4044

trp                     Mar. 26, 1996 - 2:30 p.m.