FOCUS on Access to Justice

Maximizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Tribunals to Ensure Culturally Competent Adjudication

October 25, 2023 12:45pm

Juliet Chang Knapton
Advocate-in-Residence
University of Ottawa

Hadayt Nazami
Founding Partner
Nazami & Associates

In recognition of Canada’s culturally and ethnically diverse population, it is crucial that administrative bodies also mirror this diversity. Such diversity among tribunals, would ensure a comprehensive understanding of the adversities faced by the community members that appear before them.

  • Understanding the duty of administrative bodies to serve all Canadians regardless of race, ethnicity, & cultural background
  • Assessing how administrative bodies can increase diversity within their tribunal bodies
    • Identifying strategies to make this happen
  • Analyzing how much administrative tribunals are reflective and representative of the communities they serve
    • Are there initiatives to make this happen?
  • Examining how tribunals can provide access to justice to minority communities