You may retain a lawyer or representative, but one is not required. You are free to consult such a representative at any time. If the parties are unable to reach a satisfactory solution, the complaint of discrimination will be assigned to the commission's investigative unit for further processing. The mediator will have no further contact with the handling of the complaint, and no information from the mediation will be included in the investigative file or shared with staff assigned to the case. Mediation seeks a voluntary resolution of the dispute by the parties, without deciding the merits of the case.
Investigation is a longer process and results in a decision on the merits of the complaint.
Its purpose is to determine if there is enough evidence to prove discrimination. A decision not to mediate a case, or a mediation session which does not result in settlement, does not impact the case as it goes through the investigation process. If you filed a compaintr of discrimination with ICRC, or if a complaint has been filed against you, your company or organizatio, and you wish to consider mediation, our ADR Director can assst you. Si necesita ests publicacion, la puede solictar en caracteres grandes, espanol y braille.