Investigating rights

An interview with the university’s new policy investigator

Melissa Hiebert Staff

A new investigative officer has been hired by the U of M to uphold human rights on campus. Sherri Walsh, a practising civil litigation lawyer for almost 20 years, has been hired to investigate formal complaints under the university’s Respectful Work and Learning Environment policy. “ I have a lot of familiarity in my practice with human rights issues,” Walsh explained, “issues involving sexual harassment, discrimination and that sort of thing.”

Walsh definitely has had ample experience in the field in both her professional life and free time. The university couldn’t ask for a better candidate to ensure that the rights of the students, staff and associates remain protected.

As a lawyer, Walsh has appeared in all levels of Manitoba’s provincial court, as well as the Supreme Court of Canada. In her work, she has dealt with a wide variety of litigations. She has also done years of advocacy work on behalf of people with disabilities and played an active role in the Manitoba human rights commission.

In addition to her extensive work as a lawyer, Walsh is very active in the larger community. She is a member of the national legal committee of the Women’s Legal Education Action Fund. She is also vice president of Winnipeg Harvest, where she has been volunteering with her son since he was three years old.

Walsh has always been interested in the area of human rights. “From the time I was in law school I always wanted to work in the field of human rights,” she said. “What can be more significant than promoting human dignity and ensuring that it is protected?”

The university’s current equity policy was passed in June of 2004. According to the university’s website, the policy aims “to support a climate of respect in the workplace and in the learning environment, where individuals or groups of individuals are free from harassment and discrimination.”

“Under the policy, there is call for an investigations officer, which is where I fit in,” explained Walsh. The investigations officer deals with formal complaints, provides advice and assists staff and students with any concerns that arise with respect to equality at the university.

“When someone decides to make a formal complaint under the policy, that complaint comes to me,” said Walsh. After she receives the formal complaint, her job is to then begin investigating, usually by interviewing all parties involved. She then reports to the vice president of administration on whether or not there has been a breach in the policy.

The University of Manitoba is not alone in establishing such a policy, and Walsh spends time researching similar protocols all over the country. “I did join an organization called The Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Secondary Education,” said Walsh. “It’s an organization that deals specifically with the things that this policy is directed at across the country.”

And how does Walsh find the university to be faring? “Having looked at the policy, I think the university should really be commended. I think that it’s a very good policy; it’s both progressive and comprehensive.”