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

Human Rights Commission Board of Inquiry scheduled

The Human Rights Commission announces that a Board of Inquiry will commence on Tuesday, July 8, 2003 to hear the complaint of George Smith of Harbour Grace.

Mr. Smith filed a human rights complaint alleging that his former employer, PCL Industrial Constructors Ltd., discriminated against him on the basis of a physical disability when he was laid off in March 2001. Mr. Smith�s lay-off occurred 4.5 days after a three-month absence from work to recover from a workplace injury. Mr. Smith had been employed as a welder at the Bull Arm construction site. The complaint has not been resolved during the Commission investigation.

The hearing into the complaint, which is open to the public, is scheduled to commence at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2003 at the Labour Relations Hearing Room, 5^th Floor, Beothuck Building, 20 Crosbie Place, St. John�s. Valerie Marshall, a Solicitor from St. John�s, has been assigned to hear the matter.

For further information contact:

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

2003 07 07                                       2:25 p.m.