Under the overall direction of the Chief Commissioner, the Secretary General, as the Commission's chief operating officer, is responsible for the Commission's operations at headquarters and in the regions.

The Executive Secretariat provides administrative services to the executive offices, including coordinating Commission meetings, supporting the Senior Management Committee, managing executive correspondence, and preparing briefing materials. It is also responsible for access to information and privacy.

The Legal Services Branch provides advice to the Chief Commissioner, Commission members and staff. Legal officers also represent the Commission in litigation before tribunals and the courts.

The Anti-Discrimination Programs Branch is responsible for the mediation, investigation, and conciliation of complaints, including pay equity complaints, as well as the monitoring of complaint settlements. The Branch also provides a quality assurance function for cases presented to the Commission, trains staff involved in anti-discrimination activities, and establishes performance standards and operational policies.

The Employment Equity Branch conducts employment equity audits with employers in the private and public sectors to assess their compliance with the requirements of the Employment Equity Act.

The Human Rights Promotion Branch, which includes staff at headquarters and in the Commission's six regional offices, conducts programs to promote the principles of equality, foster public understanding of the Canadian Human Rights Act, and inform people of the work of the Commission. The Branch is responsible for contacts with the media and for editorial services.

The Regional Offices perform a promotion and compliance role. They carry out education and outreach activities with community groups, employers, service providers, unions and provincial human rights commissions. They are the first point of contact for people wishing to file complaints of discrimination, and provide assistance in the processing of complaints.

The Policy and Planning Branch is responsible for providing policy, planning and review, and research assistance. Human rights issues are monitored by the Branch, and policy proposals, guidelines, and research reports assist Commission decisions and support the operational branches. The Branch also coordinates the Commission's activities to assist human rights institutions outside Canada.

The Corporate and Personnel Services Branch provides headquarters and regional offices with support services in assets management, finance, informatics, information management, and library services. It also provides support services in staffing, classification, pay and benefits, staff relations, training and human resources planning, official languages, and health and safety.

Organization

Commission Members [horizontal link with Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner]

Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner [horizontal link with Commission Members and vertical links with Secretary General and Legal Services]

Executive Secretariat [horizontal link with Secretary General]

Secretary General [horizontal links with Executive Secretariat and (dotted line) with Legal Services, vertical link with Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner and vertical links with Anti-Discrimination Programs, Employment Equity, Human Rights Promotion, Policy and Planning and Corporate and Personnel Services]

Legal Services [horizontal link (dotted line) with Secretary General and vertical link with Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner]

Anti-Discrimination Programs [vertical link with Secretary General]

Employment Equity [vertical link with Secretary General]

Human Rights Promotion [vertical link with Secretary General and vertical link with Regional Offices]

Policy and Planning [vertical link with Secretary General]

Corporate and Personnel Services [vertical link with Secretary General]

Regional Offices [vertical link with Human Rights Promotion]

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