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30/11/2000

Tribunal to Continue Hearing Internet Hate Messages Complaint

Ottawa - November 30, 2000 - The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal will continue hearings in Toronto in December into two complaints that Ernst Zundel's Website incites hatred against Jews.

The Toronto Mayor's Committee on Community and Race Relations, and Sabina Citron, also of Toronto, have filed complaints against Mr. Zundel alleging that the material found on his Website could expose Jews to hatred or contempt on the basis of their race, religion and ethnic origin. This case represents the first time that a human rights tribunal is considering complaints alleging hate messages on the Internet. Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits the communication of hate messages "by means of a telecommunication undertaking within the legislative authority of Parliament." The hearings will be held on December 1st, and 4 to 8 at the Ontario Highway Transport Board, Courtroom no.1, 10th Floor, 151 Bloor Street West.

In December, tribunal hearings will also be held into the following cases:

• In Summerside, P.E.I. a tribunal will continue looking into the complaint of Phyllis McAvinn of Borden-Carleton alleging that Strait Crossing Bridge Ltd. discriminated against her because of her sex. In April 1997, Ms. McAvinn applied for a position as a bridge patroller with Strait Crossing Bridge. She says that despite possessing all the qualifications specified for the position, she was not hired because she is a woman. She claims that men less qualified were given employment, and believes that only men were hired as bridge patrollers. The hearings are scheduled for December 1st, 4 to 6, and 18 to 22 at the Linkletter Inn and Convention Centre, Beattie/Schurman Room, 311 Market Street.
• In Ottawa, a tribunal will look into the complaint of Terence Nagel of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, alleging that Citizenship and Immigration Canada discriminated against him on the grounds of age, family status and marital status by denying him Canadian citizenship. In 1993, Mr. Nagel, who was born in 1939, applied for Canadian citizenship but was advised that he was ineligible. According to the Citizenship Act, only children born outside Canada to Canadian mothers on or after January 1, 1947 are eligible to have Canadian citizenship by right of birth. The hearings will take place from December 11 to 15 at 473 Albert Street.
• Also in Ottawa, a tribunal will continue looking into the pay equity complaint of the Union of Northern Workers, a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. The Union alleges that the Government of the Northwest Territories discriminated against its employees in female job categories by paying them less than employees in male-dominated jobs for work of equal value. The hearings will take place from December 12 to 15, and 19 to 22 at 473 Albert Street.

Hearings start at 9:30 a.m. local time.

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is an independent body responsible for adjudicating complaints referred to it by the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

The Commission refers a complaint to the Tribunal when it believes further inquiry into a complaint is warranted.

Catherine Barratt
Media and External Relations
(613) 943-9119