October 13, 1999
(Justice)

The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights Commission:

Inquiry into human rights complaint to begin Thursday

The Human Rights Commission reports that a Board of Inquiry will commence on Thursday, October 14, 1999 into a complaint filed with the commission against Provincial Demolition and Terrance Penney of Heart's Delight.

A complaint was filed with the commission in October 1998 by Walter Winsor of Freshwater, Placentia. Mr. Winsor's complaint to the Human Rights Commission alleges discrimination in employment on the basis of age. Mr. Winsor says he approached Mr. Penney along with two other men seeking employment in the demolition of the old Placentia hospital. The other two men, Mr. Winsor says, were hired and he was not. Mr. Winsor's complaint to the commission alleges he was told by Mr. Penney that "age was a factor" in his refusal of employment. Mr. Penney denies the allegation. The matter could not be resolved during the investigation and the Human Rights Commission ordered the appointment of a Board of Inquiry at a meeting held in St. John's in March 1999.

The adjudicator for the complaint is Chief Adjudicator, Mary O'Brien, of St. John's. Barry Fleming will present the complaint on behalf of the Human Rights Commission. The hearing which is open to the public is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 14, 1999 at North East Arm Motel in Dunville.

Media contact: Gladys Vivian, Human Rights Commission, (709) 729-2709, Toll Free: 1-800-563-5808

1999 10 13 10:10 a.m.