Canadian Lawyer

28 A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m R enu Mandhane has reinvigorated the OHRC. As the chief commissioner, she has been a vocal, courageous and ardent advocate on issues of racial profiling, carding, police over- sight, indigenous rights and the rights of people who are differently abled. She's been in the media steadily, commenting on these issues. Her calls for change are also largely what blew open the story of Adam Capay, the young indigenous man who had been in indefi- nite solitary confinement with the lights on 24/7 for more than four years. In May, it was announced the OHRC is considering legal action over solitary confinement. Mandhane also makes time to continue supporting the students she taught at the University of Toron- to as director of the International Human Rights Program and is not afraid to engage with opposing viewpoints, both in person and on Twitter. P amela Williams is also the presiding judge in Nova Scotia's mental health court. She spearheaded an initiative to help veterans in trouble with the law. The Veterans Justice Outreach Initiative is the first project of its kind in Canada. The goal of the initiative is to better identify, track and explore alternatives to incarceration. A successful implementation in Nova Scotia will allow Veterans Affairs Canada to pursue similar part- nerships in provinces and territories across the country. Williams has also spoken out on the use of options such as cultural assessment reports to help with the overrepresentation of indigenous and black Nova Sco- tians in the provincial jails. In response to Jordan, this year, Williams announced prosecutors in Nova Scotia would be more quickly offering plea bargains on relatively straightforward matters. The pilot project could expand to more serious crimes in the future. Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission Toronto Chief Judge, Provincial and Family Courts of Nova Scotia Halifax what voters had to say: "Renu is a champion of the disenfranchised and has a strong sense of justice." "She's the voice of the new Canada — voicing effectively issues key to make human rights a reality." what voters had to say: "Transforms vision into reality." "Unflagging commitment to making the justice system better for everyone." Renu Mandhane Pamela Williams HUMAN RIGHTS, ADVOCACY AND CRIMINAL ntitled-7 1 2017-07-13 1:10 PM

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