Government of Québec
Ministère de la Justice

Charter of human rights and freedoms (R.S.Q., c. C-12, ss. 62 and 97)

Under section 3 of the Regulation respecting the procedure for the recruitment and selection of persons apt for designation to the function of arbitrator with the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse or appointment to the function of assessor with the Human Rights Tribunal, the Minister of Justice invites all those interested in submitting their candidacy for the function of arbitrator or assessor to do so and informs all people, groups or organizations devoted to the defence and promotion of human rights and freedoms or the well-being of a group of persons, that they may propose, in writing, the candidacy of a person they feel is apt to fulfil the function of arbitrator or assessor.

The main purpose of this notice is to fill current vacancies in the office of assessor.

The function of arbitrator

The arbitrator’s function is to arbitrate disputes in cases of discrimination or of violation of the right of aged or handicapped persons to protection from exploitation when, on proposal by the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse, the arbitration is agreed to by the parties. To fulfil this function, the arbitrator is designated by the Commission from among the persons included on the panel established periodically by the Government, in accordance with section 62 of the Charter.

The function of assessor

The assessor’s function is to assist the judge who presides a division of the Human Rights Tribunal in which cases of discrimination or of violation of the right of aged or handicapped persons to protection from exploitation or concerning access to equality programs are heard and decided. To fulfil this function, the assessor is appointed by the Government from among the persons included on the panel established in accordance with section 62 of the Charter.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The principal selection criteria the committee uses to determine a candidate’s ability are:

• the candidate’s personal and intellectual qualities, and the candidate’s experience, expertise, sensitivity and marked interest regarding human rights and freedoms;
• the extent of the candidate’s relevant knowledge in the area of human rights and freedoms and in the area of arbitration in which the function of arbitrator or assessor will be exercised, and the candidate’s judgment, perceptiveness, level-headedness and decision-making ability;
• the candidate’s conception of the function of arbitrator or assessor.

METHOD OF SELECTION

The Minister forms a selection committee of three members, which calls in candidates it considers meet the eligibility requirements. The committee informs any other candidates that they are not being called in for an interview. The names of candidates, committee reports and any information or document related to a consultation or a decision by the committee will be treated confidentially.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPLICATION

Prospective candidates must apply in writing to the coordinator and provide the information required by section 6 of the Regulation respecting the procedure for the recruitment and selection of persons apt for designation to the function of arbitrator with the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse or appointment to the function of assessor with the Human Rights Tribunal (R.R.Q. c. C-12, r.0.01 ).

Inquiries may be made to the Coordinator for the Selection of Arbitrators and Assessors, Andrée Giguère, at 418 643-4090.

Please submit the original and 3 copies of all documents.

Under the provisions of section 6 of the Regulation, prospective candidates must provide a recent photograph of themselves and their résumé (one original and three photocopies) on which the following information must appear:

• name, address, home telephone number and, if applicable, telephone number at work;
• date of birth;
• membership in a professional corporation, if applicable, year of admission, proof of membership, years of practice and main sector of activity;
• nature of past activities considered to have provided relevant experience in the area of human rights and freedoms, including experience as an arbitrator or assessor, if applicable;
• any penalty imposed by the disciplinary committee of a professional corporation of which they are or were a member, or by the Professions Tribunal, and the object of and reasons for that penalty;
• the names of employers in the last 10 years, if applicable;
• a summary of the reasons for their interest in exercising the function of arbitrator or assessor, and a statement of their experience, expertise, sensitivity and marked interest regarding human rights and freedoms.

Prospective candidates must also submit a written statement authorizing verification with any professional corporation of which they are or were a member, or with police authorities and, if applicable, authorizing consultation with the following bodies:

• the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse;
• a professional corporation they belong to or have belonged to;
• the Conseil consultatif du travail et de la main-d’œuvre;
• the Conseil des affaires sociales;
• the Conseil des relations interculturelles;
• the Conseil du statut de la femme;
• the Conseil permanent de la jeunesse;
• any other body mandated by law to advise the Government or a minister, and any groups the committee considers to be the most representative from among the various groups devoted to the defence and promotion of human rights and freedoms.

This notice is addressed to all interested persons. Please note, however, that at least half of the people on the panel provided for in section 62 of the Charter must be entered on the Roll of the Order of Advocates of Québec.