Media Room

2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

31/03/2000

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to Hear Sex and Marital Status Discrimination Complaints

OTTAWA - March 31, 2000 - At its March meeting, the Canadian Human Rights Commission requested that a human rights tribunal be appointed to look into the sex and marital status complaints filed by an Ontario couple against their employer.

Cheryl and John Northcott of Hamilton, filed complaints with the CHRC alleging that their employer W. J. Deans Transport discriminated against them on the ground of sex and marital status. They were both employed at the Stoney Creek Terminals owned by W. J. Deans Transport. Mrs. Northcott, a crane operator, alleged that her employer discriminated against her by failing to provide her with a harassment-free workplace and by terminating her employment. She further alleged that her manager, her supervisor and colleague discriminated against her by sexually harassing her. Her husband, Mr. John Northcott, a driver, alleged that his employer discriminated against him on the ground of marital status by failing to provide him with a harassment-free workplace.

The Commission has also asked that human rights tribunals be appointed to look into two other complaints:

• A tribunal will hear the complaint of Edith Wong of Mississauga, alleging that the Royal Bank discriminated against her on the basis of race (Asian) or ethnic origin (Chinese) and on the ground of disability. Ms. Wong, who suffered a stress-related illness, said the Bank refused her job opportunities and training and did not accommodate her illness.
• A tribunal will look into the disability complaint filed by Huguette Labelle, of Ville-Saint-Laurent, Quebec, against Canada Post. Ms. Labelle, who has a hearing impairment, says her employer refused to accommodate her disability. She said that even though her manager and supervisor knew of her hearing impairment, and tried to find a solution, there should have been a better way to accommodate her disability.

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.

For more information:

Jocelyne Limoges
Media and External Relations
(613) 943-9119