The Human Rights Commission reports that a board of inquiry will commence on Tuesday, December 12 into a complaint filed with the commission against the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods and the Public Service Commission.

Eric Salter of St. John�s filed a complaint with the commission in August 1998, alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of age. In his complaint to the commission, Mr. Salter says he was employed as a district manager in forest ecosystems with the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods from 1978 until May 1996. He was terminated at that time and told his position would be abolished. Mr. Salter later learned a younger person from the regional office was placed in his position and a second person hired to assist him.

Mr. Salter amended his complaint in July 1999 to add the Public Service Commission as a party to the complaint. He said that the termination of his employment was investigated by the Public Service Commission and he believed the investigation revealed that age was a factor in his termination. Mr. Salter alleged in his complaint that the Public Service Commission, by failing to give him the results of their investigation and by failing to act to remedy his discriminatory treatment, breached his rights pursuant to the Human Rights Code.

The complaint was not resolved during the investigation and the commission ordered the appointment of a board of inquiry.

The hearing, which is open to the public, is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. on December 12 at the Airport Plaza Hotel, Airport Road, St. John�s. Valerie Marshall of St. John�s is the adjudicator for the complaint. Barry Fleming will present the complaint on behalf of the commission.

Media contact:

Gladys Vivian
Executive Director
Human Rights Commission
P. O. Box 8700
St. John�s, Newfoundland
A1B 4J6
Phone: (709) 729-2709
Toll Free: 1-800-563-5808

2000 12 11 10:40 a.m.