Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 28/05) - The Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission received over 30 complaints last year, evidence the chair says, that the year-old organization is gaining momentum.

"I am very thrilled with how much has been done," Mary Pat Short said Tuesday, following the release of its annual report.

"It is important to create equality for everyone in the Northwest Territories."

From March 2004 to March 2005, the commission handled 32 complaints, 12 of which claimed discrimination based on race and six on gender.

The information contained in the allegations is confidential and only becomes public if a complaint reaches a full-blown hearing. The commission wants to guard against the damage an unfounded complaint could do to the reputation of a company or government department. Last year, several complaints were settled through mediation but none reached the hearing stage.

The commission is on pace to receive 40-45 complaints this year, said executive director Therese Boullard.

The totals do not necessarily mean discrimination is widespread in the Northwest Territories, she said.