The board of Commissioners is independent of Commission staff. The Commissioners, who meet approximately once a month to review complaints of discrimination, come from a variety of backgrounds and represent different parts of the province. After a complaint of discrimination has been investigated they decide if it should be referred to a public board of inquiry. They also approve settlements of complaints if the parties involved reach agreement at any stage of the process. The Commission's executive director sits as a Commissioner.
Boards of inquiry are the final and public stage in the human rights complaint process.
The Chief Judge of the Provincial Court appoints generally one person to sit as a board of inquiry when asked to do so by the Commissioners. The person who conducts the board of inquiry, called the chair, must have a law degree. The Chief Judge picks the board chair from a panel of lawyers established by the Commission. At a board, which is a formal hearing, the complainant and witnesses are called to testify and other evidence is presented. Only a board of inquiry can decide if discrimination has taken place.