News Release Archive
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION---COMPLAINT UPHELD ------------------------------------------------------------ A board of inquiry into the complaint of George LaFosse against the Kinsmen Day Care Centre Society, Sydney, has upheld Mr. LaFosse's complaint. Mr. LaFosse made a complaint July 24, 1994, under the Human Rights Act. He alleged that the centre terminated his contract when it learned that he had hepatitis B, which he acknowledged was probably contracted through past drug use. Mr. LaFosse provided evidence that he was healthy and non-infectious. The complaint could not be resolved following an investigation and the matter proceeded to a board of inquiry chaired by Michael J. Wood. In its decision the board of inquiry found that the day care centre had discriminated against Mr. LaFosse on his disability, an actual or perceived dependency on drugs, and on the centre's irrational fear that his hepatitis B was still infectious. This the first application of the "irrational fear" section of the Human Rights Act added in the 1991 amendments package. Mr. LaFosse was awarded general damages of $2,500. -30- Contact: Francine Comeau 902-424-4111 trp Dec. 01, 1995