News Release Archive
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION--COMPLAINT DISMISSED ----------------------------------------------------------------- A board of inquiry into the complaint of Angela Goodwin against Isnor Motors; Halifax, Steven McLean and George Joyce has dismissed the complaint. Ms. Goodwin made a complaint under the Human Rights Act in March 1994. She alleged she was faced with discrimination in employment because of her pregnancy (sex discrimination). Ms. Goodwin alleged that while employed as an apprentice at Isnor Motors she was denied a training course because of her pregnancy, while a male apprentice was offered the course. She also alleged that her employment was terminated in December, 1993 due to her pregnancy and the employer's awareness that she had made a complaint with the Human Rights Commission. She had conveyed her intention to file a complaint in November, 1993. The complaint could not be resolved following an investigation. The matter proceeded to a board of inquiry chaired by Marjorie A. Hickey. In her decision of July 19, 1996, Ms. Hickey found that the evidence did not support the complaint. She found that Ms. Goodwin was not offered the training course because she would not be able to put it into practice for part of the summer, which would be the shop's busiest time, because she would be on maternity leave. Later, because of financial reasons, no employee was sent to take the course. Ms. Hickey found that Ms. Goodwin's employment was terminated by Isnor Motors because of the financial circumstances of Isnor Motors at the time, which necessitated the reduction of the number of employees, which included Ms. Goodwin and a service advisor. Ms. Hickey found that the choice to retain another apprentice was based on better skills and not based on Ms. Goodwin's pregnancy or her complaint to the Human Rights Commission. Accordingly, Ms. Hickey dismissed the complaint. -30 Contact: Wayne MacKay 902-424-4111 or 422-1043 jlw July 26, 1996 4:40 p.m.