Improving Wait Times in the Human Rights Complaint System

Currently, parties are waiting too long to have their complaints investigated by the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. We recognize that these wait times can have a significant impact on public trust in the human rights system, can affect the efficacy of the human rights complaint process and can take an emotional toll on the people involved. We are committed to improving client service and removing any unnecessary delay in the human rights complaint system.

What are we doing to help improve timeliness?

On January 1, 2022, changes to The Human Rights Code came into effect. These changes were introduced by the Government of Manitoba to help ensure that the human rights complaint system is more timely and efficient.

In accordance with the changes to The Human Rights Code, the Commission has introduced a “preliminary assessment” process. This allows the Commission to efficiently deal with complaints that may be dismissed without investigation because:

• the complaint is considered “frivolous” or “vexatious” by law;
• the allegations are not a violation of The Code;
• the Commission does not have jurisdiction to examine the issues being alleged;
• the issues are being dealt with or have already been dealt with appropriately under another Act; and/or
• continuing through the complaint process would not benefit the person who experienced the alleged discrimination.

In the fall of 2022, we reported that we had increased our investigative resources to help deal with a greater number of files in investigation. We had also introduced a streamlined process for assigning investigation files, including special investigative initiatives for files that dealt with similar issues or allegations.

While these efforts have helped us make modest improvements in wait times and reduce our investigative queue, we recognize additional changes are required to ensure the system can efficiently and effectively meet the needs of Manitobans. Currently, the Commission is exploring what further structural changes may be made to the human rights complaints system to deliver a more accessible, timely and effective complaint process. These changes may require further legislative amendments. As we explore what further adjustments can be made to the complaint process, we remain committed to working through our queue of investigative files and making progress on reducing the time parties are waiting for their files to be assigned.

What are current wait times in the investigation of human rights complaints?

The Commission has a very large volume of complaints in our system. We have also seen a significant increase in the number of people contacting the Commission during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, parties are waiting 22 months on average before an investigation is started on their file.

This wait time begins following the registration of a complaint, or following the completion of any attempts at mediation prior to the commencement of an investigation (also known as “pre-investigation mediation”). Files are transferred to the investigative queue after we receive the Respondent’s Reply to the Complaint, or following the deadline for receipt of a Reply (in cases where an official Reply is not provided by the Respondent by the deadline).

This wait time is an “approximation”. When we provide parties with a file status update, the timeline may change based on changes in staffing capacity. Our ability to assign files depends on the caseloads of available investigators and when they can take on new files, and may be impacted by staffing vacancies.

Once an investigator is assigned, it takes an average of 12 months to complete the investigation. This timeline varies depending upon several factors, including the complexity of the file, the availability of witnesses, and the amount of evidence being gathered. If you have questions about the amount of time it is taking to investigate your complaint, please contact your assigned investigator or the Commission at (204) 945-3007, 1-888-884-8681 Toll-Free in Manitoba, or hrc@gov.mb.ca.

(current as of December 2025)

Current Progress in Reducing Wait Times – Update as of December 2025

In April 2022 – at the start of our wait time reduction strategy, the Commission had 614 files awaiting investigation. As of December 2025, the Commission reports modest improvement in wait times (with the estimated time for files to be assigned to an investigator decreasing from 24 months to 22 months on average). When accounting for the number of newly registered complaints against the number of disposed files, the Commission has reduced the overall queue of investigation files by 265 files from 2022 to date.

In 2024, the Commission disposed of 200 files, which was less than our goal of 325 files. Our progress in 2024 was impacted by staffing vacancies. While we did not meet our annual dispositions target, we were able to increase the number of files in active investigations. In addition, streamlined investigative initiatives, the overtime efforts of our existing staff, and legal support are assisting us to make progress on this important goal. We will report our 2025 outcomes in 2026.

What is the status of my file?

For more information on the status of your file, please contact the Manitoba Human Rights Commission at (204) 945-3007, 1-888-884-8681 Toll-Free in Manitoba, or hrc@gov.mb.ca.

If your file is waiting assignment to an investigator, we will provide you with a file status update setting out an approximate timeline for assigning your file to an investigator. This wait time is an “approximation”. Our ability to assign files depends on the caseloads of available investigators and when they can take on new files and may be impacted by staffing capacity and vacancies. We do our best to keep you informed, but please contact us if the timeline passes and you have not heard from us.