Shubenacadie Man Receives Compensation From Human Rights Inquiry

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -Shubenacadie Man Receives Compensation From Human Rights Inquiry

A human rights board of inquiry has ruled in favour of a Shubenacadie man who alleged that his employment was terminated because of his physical condition.

Dwayne McLellan alleged that his employment at MacTara Limited in Upper Musquodoboit was terminated because of his physical condition. Mr. McLellan has a degenerative disc disease.

The chair of the board of inquiry, Donald Murray, ruled that MacTara Limited had terminated Mr. McLellan's employment as a wood room cleaner after he was diagnosed with the degenerative disc because they perceived he would not be able to perform his job adequately. Mr. Murray said the company's action is prohibited by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act.

He ordered MacTara to give Mr. McLellan a letter of recommendation and to pay general damages of $1,000, plus $200 for expenses incurred. The chair also ordered the company to compensate Mr. McLellan for income lost between April 17 and Oct. 1, 2000.

Boards of inquiry are the final stage in the human rights complaint process. They are independent, public hearings into complaints of discrimination.