Written by: Reakash Walters, Summer Articled Student

For the first time in 17 years, BC will have a Human Rights Commissioner. On November 27, 2018 the BC Human Rights Code was amended to establish the position. Former West Coast LEAF Executive Director Kasari Govender was appointed as BC’s next Human Rights Commissioner on May 30 after the unanimous recommendation of a special committee to the Legislature. Ms. Govender’s term begins September 3, 2019 and she will hold the position for five years. As the regime to protect human rights in the province shifts, equality seekers may look to Ontario, whose human rights commissions has a similar mandate, to anticipate what to expect in BC.