Perceptions: SASKATCHEWAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

SHRC amendment [proposals of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission to bring provincial code "into compliance with section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms"].
P13 [1985]: 8 (17cm.)

Commission refuses case [Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission "appears to be having second thoughts" in the advertisement-refusal case of Winnipeg Gay/ Lesbian Resource Centre v. Western Producer Publications]. By Shawn Mooney.
P48 (v7n3)(April 12, 1989): 21 (45cm.)

Investigation started [Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission has decided to investigate complaint lodged by Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee of Regina against Regina police chief, Ernie Reimer, and Board of Police Commissioners; will not investigate complaints lodged against others, including Regina mayor, Doug Archer].
P60 (v8n7)(Nov. 21, 1990)[dated Oct. 10/90 on cover]: 9 (27cm.)

Entitled to march ["Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission notified the Regina Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee last month that they had found 'probable cause' to justify a complaint filed last year..."; complaint against police chief Ernie Reimer and Regina Board of Police Commissioners accepted, other complaints not addressed by Commission; etc.].
P64 (v9n3)(April 24, 1991): 9 (44cm.)

Inquiry rejected [Queen's Bench justice ruled July 22 that Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission not allowed to hold inquiry into actions of Regina police chief Ernie Reimer over his rejection of 1990 Pride Parade permit; Commission says it will appeal].
P66 (v9n5)[misnumbered on contents page as v9n4](Aug. 14, 1991): 9-10 (18cm.)

Appeal launched [by Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission over decision by Court of Queen's Bench Justice C. Ross Wimmer that Commission could not inquire into discrimination allegation against Regina police chief Ernie Reimer for refusing gay/lesbian parade permit in June 1990].
P67 (v9n6)[misnumbered on contents page as v9n5](Sept. 25, 1991): [8] (35cm.)

Protection in Saskatchewan ["Gay and lesbian activists...dumbfounded by the NDP government's decision to delay introducing any changes to human rights legislation until next year"; Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission is, however, accepting sexual orientation discrimination complaints in view of Ontario Appeal Court's ruling that Canadian Human Rights Act is unconstitutional; etc.].
P75 (v10n6)(Sept. 16, 1992): 11 (52cm.)

Inquiry going ahead [Saskatchewan Court of Appeal permits Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission to proceed with formal inquiry into Regina police chief Ernie Reimer's refusal of 1990 Pride Day parade permit; Appeal Court overturned earlier Wimmer decision in Queen's Bench court].
P76 (v10n7)(Oct. 28, 1992): 11 (19cm.)

Commission review [Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission is reviewing provincial human rights legislation and how Commission functions; Donna Greschner would like to have recommendations for Attorney-General by November 1; hearings to be held across province].
P83 (v11n6)(Sept. 15, 1993): 9 (12cm.)

No stampede yet [Commission hasn't seen stampede of complaints after human rights legislation changed last year; were expecting workload increase of 10-15 percent; to middle of August, only ten complaints related to sexual orientation, of which five dropped for various reasons; among other five being investigated are those of Christopher Lefler and of Kim Shaw].
P91 (v12n6)(Sept. 14, 1994): 14 (20cm.)

Complaints proceeding [Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission will launch investigation into complaints against the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix and Hugh Owens for an advertisement which appeared in the June 30, 1997 issue of the newspaper; details presented; expected to be at least six months before investigation begins].
P115 (v15n6)(Sept. 10, 1997): 9 (50cm.)

Proposal unsuccessful [Saskatchewan Party, at policy convention, votes against motion to abolish Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission].
P120 (v16n3)(April 29, 1998): 12 (17cm.)

Probable cause [Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission "has decided that there was 'probable cause' to believe that...Saskatoon Star Phoenix...discriminated against lesbians and gay men...[by printing] an anti-gay ad last summer"; Hugh Owens paid to have ad printed; "Commission is now attempting to see if a settlement can be negotiated"; etc.].
P121 (v16n4)(June 10, 1998): 11 (65cm.)

Bashing by Bible OK [Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission decides not to pursue complaint against Regina Leader-Post newspaper for running advertisement placed by Hugh Owens in which Bible verses "interpreted as condemnation of homosexuality" were presented; other details and reference to some earlier similar Saskatoon activity by Hugh Owens].
P125 (v16n8)(Dec. 9, 1998): 11 (37cm.)

Hearing scheduled [by Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission for August 23-31, 1999, in complaint against Hugh Owens and Saskatoon Star-Phoenix newspaper; complaint lodged two years ago concerning advertisement Owens placed in the newspaper; some other details].
P129 (v17n4)(June 2, 1999): 21 (29cm.)

Still at it [Hugh Owens issue; Owens filed Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission complaint that Regina Leader-Post discriminated by refusing his advertisements; Human Rights Tribunal will begin hearing related case on August 23 regarding complaints lodged against Owens and the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix for advertisements run earlier by Owens in the Saskatoon newspaper; other details].
P130 (v17n5)(July 28, 1999): 20 (38cm.)

God and hate [the author's personal account of attendance at hearing of Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission into the complaint against Hugh Owens of Regina regarding advertisement in Saskatoon Star-Phoenix; additional comments about "what the hearing was really about" -- author tells story of life of one man "devastated because people like Owens are allowed to spread their brand of hate under the guise of religion"; etc.]. By Gens Hellquist.
P131 (v17n6)(Sept. 15, 1999): 4-5 (70cm.)

For the love of God: the Saskatchewan Human Rights [Commission] hearing into the case against the Star-Phoenix and Hugh Owens [lengthy article about the proceedings, including details of some special moments and about the setting at the Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon (compiler note: Peter Millard is credited with this article in P132:3, at end of Editorial)]. [By Peter Millard].
P131 (v17n6)(Sept. 15, 1999): 8-9 (122 cm.)

He keeps at it [Hugh Owens, of Regina, files complaint with Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission against Regina Leader-Post newspaper for refusing to run his advertisements; Owens has been campaigning against Saskatchewan legislation which protects against discrimination on basis of sexual orientation; other details].
P131 (v17n6)(Sept. 15, 1999): 20 (21cm.)

The wait goes on [complainants to Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission about Hugh Owens and advertisement in Saskatoon Star-Phoenix still waiting for ruling; now it is two and a half years since complaint was lodged, and testimony at tribunal ended August 31, 1999].
P132 (v17n7)(Oct. 27, 1999): 11 (22cm.)

Justice delayed [still no decision from adjudicator, Valerie Watson; letter sent to her by Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission encouraging her to render a decision "as soon as possible" in complaint against Hugh Owens for advertisements in Saskatoon Star-Phoenix newspaper].
P140 (v18n7)(Oct. 25, 2000): 19 (18cm.)

An affront to dignity [lengthy report on the June 18 ruling by Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission board of inquiry into discrimination charge against Hugh Owens and Saskatoon Star-Phoenix regarding anti-gay advertisement run by Owens in the newspaper on June 30, 1997 (compiler note: article states year erroneously as 1977); includes background of case and other related information, including mention that Owens has filed notice to appeal].
P146 (v19n5)(Aug. 1, 2001): 10 (62cm.)

Apology given [by NDP government of Saskatchewan; complaint made to Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission over refusal of government to issue proclamation in June 2000 for "Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Pride Day"; letter of apology from Premier Lorne Calvert reprinted in this article; other details].
P154 (v20n5)(July 31, 2002): 12 (29cm.)

Not very appealing [Hugh Owens asks Queen's Bench judge, July 23, for right to appeal Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal decision that advertisement he placed in Saskatoon Star-Phoenix newspaper in 1997 was in violation of human rights legislation; background and details; Justice R. L. Barclay "reserved his ruling, which is expected in a few weeks"].
P154 (v20n5)(July 31, 2002): 19 (48cm.)

Enough is enough ["after three years of heavy lobbying," board of Gay and Lesbian Health Services, Saskatoon, has voted to file human rights complaint against Saskatchewan government for denying adequate funding to address health and social issues of queer community].
P156 (v20n7)(Oct. 23, 2002): 8 (36cm.)

Getting prepared [newsnote that Gay and Lesbian Health Services is compiling human rights complaint against Saskatchewan government for refusing equitable funding for queer health and social issues; looking for individuals who wish to be part of complaint procedure; other details, contact information].
P157 (v20n8)(Dec. 4, 2002): 11 (22cm.)

Day of reckoning [reporting that on February 10 human rights hearings begin in Regina concerning complaints against homophobe Bill Whatcott over pamphlets circulated throughout Saskatchewan; also lengthy report on Whatcott's previous activities and difficulties, and his plans; "Whatcott also announced that his days of anti-gay activism are over"; etc.].
P158 (v21n1)[cover misnumbered v201](Jan. 22, 2003): 10 (48cm.)

Rebuffed again [Hugh Owens loses appeal to Queen's Bench court regarding Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission tribunal ruling over his 1997 Star-Phoenix ad; Justice J. Barclay turned down appeal on Dec. 11/02; Owens served notice in January that he would appeal again; background details of this case, and comments].
P158 (v21n1)[cover misnumbered v201](Jan. 22, 2003): 12 (51cm.)

"A kangaroo court" [detailed report on the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal hearings of February 10-11, 2003 into charges that Bill Whatcott discriminated against gays/lesbians in distribution of pamphlets; tribunal chaired by Anil K. Pandila; not known when Pandila will rule].
P159 (v21n2)(March 5, 2003): 10-11 (79cm.)