Derek Neary
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (Mar 19/99) - Fort Simpson's Nick Sibbeston was named a part-time member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) last week.

As such, he will essentially act as a judge in human rights cases across the country, such as sexual harassment and pay equity disputes.

"I had been interested because of my legal background," said Sibbeston, an alumnus of the University of Alberta law school (1975), and the first aboriginal lawyer in the Northwest Territories. "I feel like I've been involved with human rights type issues a lot of my life."

The appointment came via Anne McLellan, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on Wednesday.

Sibbeston, who was a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal panel member since 1996, is one of only 15 members of the tribunal nation-wide. The panel used to include 50 members, but was recently restructured to include fewer members. Consequently, Sibbeston will now likely hear more cases on his own rather than as part of a panel. As a part-time member, he could be called upon up to two weeks out of every month.

Sibbeston was premier of the Northwest Territories for two years, served six years in cabinet and was a member of the legislative assembly for 16 years. He also worked for the GNWT as a justice specialist.

Johanne Senecal, McLellan's judicial affairs advisor, said the criteria established through the Canadian Human Rights Act requires members of the tribunal to have experience and interest in human rights issues.

"He (Sibbeston) does have the experience, interest and knowledge...he's aware of the issues. The bonus with him is he brings this Northern experience and representation," Senecal said, adding that the justice department has tried to achieve geographical, cultural and linguistic balance in choosing members of the tribunal.