The last stage in the processing of a human rights complaint is a Board of Inquiry if the complaint has not otherwise been resolved.

The Board of Inquiry is an independent administrative tribunal that is separate and apart from the Human Rights Commission.    There is a roster of persons who can sit as a Board of Inquiry; the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia chooses someone from the roster for any complaint referred by the Commission to a Board of Inquiry.  This is then approved by the Commission.

Persons are  placed on the roster after an independent selection committee evaluates their qualifications.   

The minimum qualifications are:

• A law degree;
• At least five years of experience in their professional field;
• Demonstrated experience in weighing conflicting information/evidence to arrive at a fair decision;
• Demonstrated experience in chairing hearings, meetings, or consultations where there are conflicting interests;
• Experience with human rights legislation or human rights issues; and
• Being a resident of Nova Scotia.

In addition, the independent selection committee considers other qualifications before finding someone to be qualified to sit as a Board of Inquiry.

These additional qualifications are:

• Experience in making and writing clear, well-reasoned decisions based on the law and evidentiary procedures in a timely manner;
• Experience with administrative or quasi-judicial tribunals;
• Experience applying principles of natural justice;
• Experience with conflict resolution such as mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution;
• Knowledge of the social, economic and systemic impact of discrimination and appropriate remedies;
• Experience with social justice issues; and
• Experience with cross-cultural issues.

Currently, there are 10 persons on the Board of Inquiry roster.  They are:

E.A. Nelson Blackburn QC
Cynthia Chewter
Lynn Connors QC
Kenneth Crawford QC
Marion Hill
Dennis James
Donald Murray QC
Peter Nathanson
Kathryn Raymond
J. Walter Thompson QC