The New Brunswick government has appointed Amber Chisholm as chair of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission for a three-year term that began Aug. 19, the province announced today.
Chisholm replaces Phylomène Zangio, who served as chair since 2023 and had been a commission member since 2022, according to the government.
Background and experience
Chisholm worked as a lawyer with a private firm until 2018, then joined the Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick, where she currently serves as associate director, the province said.
She has worked on access to justice rights for vulnerable groups in New Brunswick and provided support to marginalized people and communities in areas including family law, tenant rights, access to justice in both official languages, sexual harassment in the workplace, and the rights of LGBTQ2IA+ people, according to the announcement.
New chair’s priorities
“Human rights are an essential pillar of society, and they have pressing relevance in our present historical moment,” said Chisholm. “The commission has a rich legacy of protecting and promoting human rights in New Brunswick, and, in my role as chair, I will strive to advance its mandate to ensure that the protections of the Human Rights Act are upheld, and all persons are treated with dignity, equality, inclusion and respect in our province.”
Outgoing chair reflects on tenure
Zangio said her time as chair was meaningful work during challenging times.
“Serving as chair of the Human Rights Commission has been an honour that I have carried with deep gratitude,” said Zangio. “Even in times of polarization and setbacks, the light of human rights never dims; it shines brighter with every choice we make in favour of equality, dignity and solidarity.”
The New Brunswick Human Rights Commission handles complaints related to discrimination and harassment in employment, housing, public accommodations and other areas covered under provincial human rights legislation.
