Human Rights

Human Rights Committee of the Atlantic Council

The Human Rights Committee of the Atlantic Council is the regional link to the REVP and Council on Human Rights issues. The PSAC Human Rights Program has general accountability for promoting and defending the Human Rights of PSAC members. These rights are contained in PSAC policy and within the context of the Canadian Human Rights Act and comparable legislation.

The PSAC Human Rights Program is based on a mobilizing approach, rather than an advocacy approach. This means that the Union provides support to members from equity groups to discuss, identify and strategize around how to best address issues of particular concerns to them. Committees exist on a national and regional basis. The Human Rights Program is integrated with the PSAC Employment Equity Program and the PSAC Women's Program.

The PSAC Atlantic Council Human Rights Committee consists of the four Council members, elected at the PSAC Atlantic Regional Convention to represent the four equity groups, (racially visible members, members with disabilities, aboriginal members and gay, lesbian and transgendered members). Other interested members may be appointed by the PSAC Atlantic Regional Executive Vice-President.

Mandate of Human Rights Committees

The Human Rights Committee's mandate includes playing an active role in the education of members and employers about human rights issues; acting as a resource to members on human rights issues; networking with others on human rights issues; and assisting in the organizing of equity groups to be in conformance with Section 15 of the PSAC Constitution.

Section 15 of the PSAC Constitution enables the establishment of regional equity committees representing any of the four equity groups, or human rights committees, representing all of the four equity groups. Please see Section 15 for other variations as well.

Contact Information

Contact the Chair or any members of the PSAC Atlantic Council Human Rights Committee through the PSAC Regional Office.

Park West Centre
Suite 301, 287 Lacewood Dr.
Halifax, NS, B3M 3Y7
Telephone: (902) 445-0925

Human Rights Websites

Canadian Human Rights Commission
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
PEI Human Rights Commission
New Brunswick Human Rights Commission
NL Human Rights Commission
CLC Human Rights and Equality 
Egale Canada
Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Amnesty International
United Nations
NSGEU Pride web page