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21/02/2001

Human Rights Tribunal to Hear Age Discrimination Complaint

Ottawa – February 21, 2001 – A human rights tribunal will look into the complaint of a Quebec woman who says the Société Radio-Canada (SRC ) terminated her employment because of her age.

At its February meeting, the Canadian Human Rights Commission asked that a tribunal be appointed to hear the age discrimination complaint of Suzanne Larente of Anjou, against her employer, the SRC. Ms. Larente had worked for the SRC for 22 years, the last 17 as a human resources officer. The SRC eliminated three of seven human resource officer positions, claiming budget restrictions as the reason for the terminations. Ms. Larente claims that, while her position was terminated despite her qualifications and experience, the SRC retained two employees with less seniority and equal or fewer qualifications. She says these two staff members are in their twenties, while those who were terminated were all in their forties.

Also at its February meeting, the CHRC asked that a tribunal be appointed to look into the complaint of Gino Dumont of the Rivière-du-Loup region, Quebec who alleges that his employer, Transport Jeannot Gagnon, discriminated against him because of his disability. A truck driver for the company, Mr. Dumont suffered a heart attack while on the job. Although he had been given medical clearance to return to work, his supervisor told him he had no work for him. Mr. Dumont claims he was not wanted back because of his health.

The Chairperson of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal will appoint tribunals to hear the complaints.

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