Office of the Citizens� Representative � Submission on Amendment to the Human Rights Code

On December 8, 2008, the Minister of Justice, Thomas Marshall, Q.C., announced that the Department of Justice would be commencing a review of the Human Rights Code. Public consultations with officials of the Department of Justice will take place on Tuesday, March 24, from 7:00 p.m. � 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 25, from 2:00 p.m. � 4:00 p.m. in St. John�s at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre, 120 New Gower Street.

Barry Fleming, the province�s Citizens� Representative has today released his written submission to the Department of Justice. He recommends that caution should be exercised when amending the Human Rights Code so as not to diminish the quasi constitutional nature of that legislation. He also recommends that the Human Rights Commission should report to the Labour Relations Agency. A copy of Mr. Fleming�s submission can be found at www.citizensrep.nl.ca.

�The opportunity to have input into the composition of such an important document as the Human Rights Code is unique,� said Mr. Fleming, �I invite citizens to consult the Department of Justice Discussion Paper as found at www.justice.gov.nl.ca/HumanRightsReview and to either submit a written comment or to attend the sessions.�

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Media contact:
Lorraine Holden
Executive Secretary
Office of the Citizens� Representative
709-729-6541