Project Type: Legal Research and Writing
Fields of Law: Human rights law, constitutional law, employment law, contracts, administrative law, Indigenous law.
Positions Available: 1 student
About the NWT Human Rights Commission
The Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission (NWT Human Rights Commission) works towards a Territory that is fair, diverse, safe, inclusive, and where everyone is equal.
Project Details
The NWT Human Rights Commission is made up of three independent parts:
1.Commission Members
Commission Members are appointed by the Legislative Assembly for a term of four years. Commission members are selected based on their interest in, and sensitivity to, human rights. They are from different communities in the NWT and work part-time for the Commission. Commission members are responsible for education and promotion activities and make certain decisions under the Act.
2.Executive Director
The Executive Director of Human Rights is appointed by the Legislative Assembly and is responsible for the administration of the complaint process and the operations of the Commission office. The Executive Director also acts as Secretary to the Commission.
3. Adjudicators
The NWT Human Rights Adjudication Panel is a separate and independent agency which hears complaints referred by the Executive Director. The Adjudication Panel also hears appeals of the Executive Director’s decisions to dismiss complaints. Adjudicators are part-time and are appointed by the Legislative Assembly.
The Project – The Independence of Human Rights Commissions
This research memo will focus on why human rights commissions must maintain a high level of independence from government control and intervention to effectively promote and protect human rights. The student will research and summarize the history of the Paris Principles adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 and will assess why those principles form the basis for not only national human rights institutions, but also provincial and territorial human rights institutions in Canada. The student will also conduct a cross jurisdictional review summarizing the reporting relationship between federal, provincial, and territorial human rights institutions and their respective governments.
Role of Student Volunteer(s)
The student will be responsible for conducting legal academic/caselaw research and drafting a memo summarizing their research. The student will also provide case comments, and complete research assignments, in addition to plain language materials.
Is A Work Plan Required For This Position?
Yes, the student and lawyer will discuss the required workplan at the beginning of the semester.
If yes, the student(s) must reach out to the lawyer supervisor, draft a work plan, and submit it by email to the Program Coordinator and the lawyer supervisor by November 1st at the latest. Please note that workplans are required for all legal research and writing projects.
What Type Of Training Will the Organization Provide?
Note: All first year PBSC volunteers and all volunteers working on research projects must also attend a PBSC/Thomson Reuters legal research strategies workshop.
The student will attend an orientation session by video conferencing, which will include:
- A presentation about adopting the “Restorative Approach” to dispute resolution organizational change;
- A presentation about NWT Historical Treaties, Section 35 and 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1982, Modern Land Claims and Self-Governance in the NWT; and,
- Any additional training will be discussed with the Executive Director, as there may be additional training opportunities for students that arise throughout the year.
How Many Hours Per Week Will the Student Volunteer(s) Be Expected to Volunteer?
3-5 hours per week.
Will The Student(s) Be Expected To Show Up For Regular Shifts Each Week?
Schedule is flexible.
Is Workspace Provided For the Student Volunteer(s)?
No.
Requirements and Expectations
Preference for a 1L or 2L student who has completed courses or has an interest in human rights law, employment law, contracts law, administrative law, international and/or Indigenous law courses.
Students should have demonstrated passion for human rights and equality. Familiarity with Indigenous and northern issues is an asset. Students should ideally have an understanding, or lived experience, of diversity and inclusion. Volunteer or work experience in legal research and in plain language is also considered an asset.