The services which the Equity Ombudsperson will offer include confidential assistance to members, articled students and support staff working for legal employers regarding complaints of harassment or discrimination by members, particularly arising from issues of race, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability or any other similar personal attribute. Joanne, you have an extensive background in mediation. My background as a mediator will assist me in resolving complaints of harassment or discrimination. I have spent the last ten years of my professional life helping people to resolve disputes and complaints by helping the parties communicate as clearly as possible, understand each other better, negotiate as effectively as possible and come up with creative ideas for resolving the problem. Because of the sensitive nature of discrimination and harassment issues and the fact that perception and understanding are key factors in both the problem and the resolution, mediation is often one of the best routes for resolving these issues because of its flexibility.
Every case is different, and people approach problems differently.
My experiences in mediation during the last ten years will help in giving me the depth necessary to respond effectively to these differences. Confidentiality is a fundamental component of the Ombudsperson's mandate. The Secretary may appoint an Ombudsman to facilitate the informal resolution of harassment and discrimination disputes, involving members, articling students and persons working for legal employers. The Ombudsman shall act independently of the Society but within the scope of the mandate prescribed by the Benchers. Neither the communications nor the information contained therein may be disclosed in any proceeding under Part 3 without the consent of the parties to the dispute.