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30/11/2001

Tribunal to Hear Harassment Complaint Against National Defence

Ottawa - November 30, 2001 - The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal will examine the complaint of a woman who claims that the Department of National Defence failed to provide her with a workplace free of harassment and discrimination.

Paula McInnis alleges that her employer, the Department of National Defence (DND), discriminated against her because of her sex, disability, and family and marital status, and by failing to provide her with a harassment-free workplace. Ms. McInnis, who worked at DND as a technician, claims that male co-workers with less experience were sent on courses ahead of her, thus limiting her promotional opportunities. She also says her supervisor made derogatory comments about her, her husband and their family life. Ms. McInnis says that managers made derogatory comments toward women and allowed the circulation of documents that were demeaning to women. The hearings will take place from December 17 to 21 at the Harbour Towers Hotel, Salon 'A', 345 Quebec Street in Victoria.

Also in December, Tribunal hearings will be held in the following cases:

• In Ottawa, a tribunal will hear the complaint of Jennifer Smith, who alleges that her employer, the Canadian Forces, discriminated against her by failing to accommodate her on the basis of marital and family status. Ms. Smith, an administrative clerk with the Forces, is married to a Forces officer. She says the Forces repeatedly turned down her requests for a co-location posting with her husband. When she did eventually receive the co-location with her husband, he was soon transferred and, according to her, the Forces again refused to transfer her. The hearings will take place from December 3 to 7 at the Tribunal's headquarters, 473 Albert Street.
• In Montreal, a tribunal will examine the complaint of Suzanne Larente against her former employer, Société Radio-Canada (SRC), in which she alleges discrimination on the basis of her age. Ms. Larente worked for SRC for 22 years. According to her, SRC eliminated three of seven human resource officer positions, claiming budget restrictions as the reason for the terminations. She suggests that, while her position was terminated despite her qualifications and experience, SRC retained two employees with less seniority and equal or fewer qualifications. Ms. Larente says these two staff members are younger, while those who were terminated were all in their forties. The hearings are scheduled for December 13 and 14 at the Federal Court of Canada, 30 McGill Street.
• In Toronto, a tribunal will continue to hear the complaint of Kanags Premakumar who alleges that Canadian Airlines failed to employ him because of his race, colour, and national or ethnic origin. Originally from Sri Lanka, Mr. Premakumar worked six months for the airline as a temporary station attendant. He claims that, over the following three-year period, Canadian Airlines hired three groups of permanent station attendants, some of whom had no experience, none of whom were Sri Lankan. Despite submitting applications for all of the openings, Mr. Premakumar alleges he was never contacted. He also says that, after calling the company, he was interviewed but later told that the jobs went to candidates who better fit the airline's requirements. The hearings are scheduled for December 13, 14, 19 and 20 at the Federal Court of Canada, Toronto Local Office, Canada Life Building, 330 University Avenue, 8th Floor.

Hearings start at 9:30 a.m. local time. Because locations and dates are subject to change or cancellation, interested persons are advised to contact the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal at (613) 995-1707 prior to the hearing in question to confirm that it is proceeding as scheduled.

The 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.

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