Monday, April 22, 2013

Scouts Canada appoints North America's renowned tracker and wilderness expert as Chief Scout

Terry Grant Brings a Wealth of Skill and Expertise to Scouting in Canada

Ottawa, April 22, 2013 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Board of Governors for Scouts Canada announced today the appointment of Terry Grant as the organization's new Chief Scout, a two-year term honourary position.

As Chief Scout, Grant will represent Scouts Canada nationally and internationally, attend events, in particular Jamborees and national award ceremonies, plus interact with youth, parents and leaders.

"I'm honoured to be appointed Chief Scout and as a former Scout myself and as a contributor to Scouts Canada in the past, "I feel I have lots to share," said Grant. "I look forward to meeting current members and talking to youth across Canada about the excellent opportunities that Scouting offers."

Grant is best known as the star of the reality hit series, Mantracker, where he demonstrated the almost-lost art of tracking. Grant, a 25-year veteran of the Foothills Search and Rescue Team, is an expert in utilizing clues such as footprints, probable path and other signs of human presence to track prey.

As a consultant he has worked with the British Military Chiefs to provide basic ground and track awareness training and is one of the few 'civilians' who have been invited to the K-9 Training Facility for the Edmonton Police Service. Grant is a popular speaker, appearing at functions hosted by law enforcement, private groups, fundraisers and schools.

"We believe that Terry is a great role model for all our members. He is committed to fitness, the outdoors and the environment," said Andrew Price, Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors of Scouts Canada. "With his demonstrated ability to lead and motivate people and his understanding and commitment to Scouting, Terry is the perfect candidate."

Taking its lead from the U.K., Scouts Canada elevated the Governor General from the position of Chief Scout to that of Patron Scout and began the search for a high profile Canadian, who as Chief Scout, would inspire youth and engage them in the Scouting Movement.

Full Terry Grant biography

Video message from Terry Grant to Scouts Canada members

About Scouts Canada

Scouts Canada is the country's leading co-ed youth organization with more than 100,000 members nationwide. Scouts Canada offers programming for children and youth aged 5-26 in more than 19 languages, reflecting Canada's multicultural landscape and communities. Kids in Scouts have fun adventures discovering new things and experiences they wouldn't discover elsewhere. Along the way, they develop into capable, confident and well-rounded individuals, better prepared for success in the world. For tens of thousands of children and youth across Canada, Scouts is the start of something great. For more information visit Scouts.ca.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Canadian Human Rights Commission Launches Online Complaint Tool - New website aims to improve service to Canadians

OTTAWA, April 8, 2013 /Canada NewsWire/ - Starting today, people who believe they have suffered discrimination will have easy online access to a tool to determine if they have grounds for a complaint under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission has launched an online complaint assessment tool, an interactive, self-service questionnaire that helps people determine if a discrimination complaint is valid and should be formally filed.

According to its Annual Report for 2012, last year the Canadian Human Rights Commission received over 19,000 inquiries and over 1,500 complaints.

The complaint assessment tool is just one of the new features of the Commission's redesigned website, launched today. The redesign, grounded in a "people first" philosophy, improves accessibility and usability and delivers critical information to all the Commission's audiences with the fewest possible clicks.

The web redesign reflects a greater emphasis across government on electronic delivery of information. With its complaint assessment tool, new e-learning projects and tools for employers, and the Human Rights Maturity Model, which provides employers the opportunity to self-evaluate workplace human rights performance online, the Commission is tailoring the delivery of its services to the needs of the public. Newly launched social media initiatives complement this effort.

The Commission is among the first departments and agencies in the federal government to unveil websites that conform to new Treasury Board standards for usability and accessibility.

You can follow the Commission on TWITTER: @CdnHumanRights.