Tribunal

The Tribunal is the independent adjudicative arm of the Alberta Human Rights Commission. The work of the Tribunal is independent from the work of the Commission staff in resolving complaints.

• Tribunal members are not Government of Alberta employees or Commission employees.
• Tribunal members are private citizens appointed by Lieutenant Governor in Council.
• Tribunal offices are separate from Commission offices and staff have different roles.

Human rights tribunals are quasi-judicial

Human rights tribunals, like other administrative tribunals, are quasi-judicial. This means they have powers and procedures similar to a court of law, but it is less formal.

Our Members

Members of the Commission are recruited through an open, transparent, and competency-based recruitment process. Members have:

• Law degrees
• The knowledge and training in human rights matters
• Experience and training in conducting mediations and negotiations

One member is assigned to mediate tribunal dispute resolutions (TDRs). One or three members are assigned to tribunal hearings.

When does the Tribunal hear a complaint?

A complaint must first go through the Commission's complaint resolution process before it can go to the Tribunal. A complaint only goes to the Tribunal when:

1. The Director refers an unsettled complaint to the Chief of the Commission and Tribunals, or
2. The Chief of the Commission and Tribunals disagrees with (overturns) the Director's decision after the complainant files an appeal.

Contact the Tribunal Office

Revised: March 12, 2021