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

The Human Rights Commission announces that a Board of Inquiry will commence on Monday, October 6, 2003, to hear the complaint of Sean Ryan against the City of St. John�s.

Mr. Ryan�s complaint alleges that the City of St. John�s discriminated against him on the basis of a mental disability when he was dismissed on December 1, 1998. Mr. Ryan has been diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder. Mr. Ryan also filed a grievance concerning his dismissal and an arbitration panel subsequently ruled that the City failed to accommodate his disability to the point of undue hardship. He was later reinstated and awarded damages for lost salary and overtime opportunities. The arbitration panel did not award damages to compensate Mr. Ryan for the violation of his human rights.

The issue before the Board of Inquiry will be whether Mr. Ryan is entitled to damages for the violation of his rights and, if so, to what extent.

The hearing will commence at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2003, at the Quality Hotel Harbour View, 2 Hill O�Chips, St. John�s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Human Rights Commission is represented by Barry Fleming, Sean Ryan is represented by Bob Ryan and the City of St. John�s is represented by Linda Bishop.

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 10 02                                       4:20 p.m.