February 4, 2000
(Justice)

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

Gladys Vivian, executive director of the Human Rights Commission, is pleased to release a board of inquiry decision which upholds the human rights principle that the older worker has a right to be screened fairly during competitions for employment opportunities.

Chief adjudicator, Mary O�Brien, in the board of inquiry decision states that, based on the evidence placed before her at the board of inquiry on October 14, 1999, Walter Winsor of Freshwater, Placentia had been discriminated against because of his age. Walter Winsor filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in October 1998 alleging age discrimination against Provincial Demolition and Salvage Ltd., and Terrance Penney of Heart�s Delight. Mr. Winsor, who was 55 years old at the time, said he had been refused a job as a labourer and had been told by Mr. Penney that age was a factor in denying him employment.

In upholding the age discrimination complaint, the ajudicator ordered Provincial Demolition and Salvage Ltd., and Terrance Penney to pay Walter Winsor $2,467.50 in damages.

Media contact: Gladys Vivian, Executive Director, Human Rights Commission, (709) 729-2709.

2000 02 04                                                             3:35 p.m.