The Nova Scotia government has named a chair to its newly-formed task force on cyberbullying.
Wayne MacKay, a professor at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, will chair the task force that aims to examine cyberbullying and develop recommendations.
MacKay has worked as a university administrator, legal scholar and was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 2005.
Education Minister Ramona Jennex made the announcement Wednesday morning.
"I feel we have an obligation to bring people together to find solutions around cyberbullying," said Jennex in a statement released Wednesday.
"Since we announced the formation of the task force, we have received a tremendous amount of support from Nova Scotians who want to be involved.
The Cyberbullying Task Force consists of five members including Ministerial Assistant for Youth Mat Whynott, Department of Education guidance consultant Rola AbiHanna, Wendy MacGregor, a parent from Halifax, and Breanna Fitzgerald, a Grade 12 student from New Waterford.
It will be supported by a 20-member task force working group, which will focus on intervention, education, assessment and policy regarding cyberbullying.
Jennex announced in April that the province would be creating the Cyberbullying Task Force in response to reports that cyberbullying may have contributed to a number of recent suicides among youth.
"Few issues in schools have gripped the public imagination more than bullying and the tragic consequences for the victims of bullying in all its forms, including cyberbullying," said Mr. MacKay. "I am honoured to take on this important task and hope to identify pragmatic and effective responses to this real and growing problem in our society."
The task force aims to strengthen the online bullying policy and the consequences for bullies in schools, establish guidelines for school administrators, create legislative change and help students improve their online skills.
The task force is due to submit a report to Jennex in December.
"When that report comes to me in December we will act on things that we can act on immediately and the things that need some long range work, we'll be working on that too." said Jennex last month.
