Major Reforms at the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission Stir Controversy
The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has lately undergone significant leadership changes that have sparked diverse debates. These alterations come on the tail of a problematic period characterized by the commission’s public opposition to Bill 137. The bill, which was controversial due to its pronoun policy in schools, received backlash from the SHRC. The situation was heightened by the use of the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Charter, allowing the bill to circumvent certain rights, encouraging a wave of resignations, most notably of former commissioner Heather Kuttai.
A New Era of Leadership at SHRC
The revamping of the SHRC management includes the retirement of the acting chief commissioner, Barry Wilcox, a stalwart at the commission since 2011, and the installation of seven fresh faces at the commission. The new chief commissioner, Treena Sikora, brings forth experience from her tenure as the leader of the Saskatchewan Police Commission and a career in law in Saskatoon.
Doubts Around Diversity and Knowledge Continuity
The aforementioned changes did not pass without objections. Former commissioner, Heather Kuttai, who had resigned in opposition to the passage of Bill 137, voiced her concerns over the recent appointments. She brought forth issues of a perceived lack of knowledge continuity and corporate experience amongst the new appointees. Kuttai, herself a person with a disability, also pointed out the absence of representatives from both the transgender and disabled communities among the new commissioners.
Potential Political Biases and Legislative Controversies
Questions have been raised over the possible political leanings of the newly appointed commissioners. The SHRC’s dispute with the provincial government over legislation and the timing of these appointments, which followed closely on the commission’s opposition to controversial bills, suggest political undertones. These debates have incited and added to the existing concerns.
The Justice Minister, in response to these concerns, cited the expiration of previous commissioners’ terms as a valid reason for the board’s refreshment. The new appointments, he claimed, offer a variety of backgrounds and experiences, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous representation, brushing off allegations of political bias.
