News release

Thomas v. Halifax Regional Water Commission Complaint Dismissed

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission

An independent human rights board of inquiry into the matter of Mark Thomas v. Halifax Regional Water Commission (HRWC) has concluded with the dismissal of a complaint of discrimination.

Mr. Thomas had alleged that he was discriminated against on the basis of his race and disability while employed by Halifax Regional Water Commission. His employment was terminated Oct. 31, 2008.

In his decision, board chair Dennis James explained that Mr. Thomas did not file his complaint within the prescribed one-year window.

"In absence of any evidence from the Complainant or the Human Rights Commission I find that there is no evidentiary basis to suggest discriminatory conduct by HRWC after October 31, 2008," wrote Mr. James. "The implication of this finding is that if there was discriminatory conduct as alleged it had to have occurred before October 31, 2008, which means Mr. Thomas' complaint had to be filed by October 31, 2009. Given these findings I find that the complaint filed by Mr. Thomas was not filed in the time limit prescribed by Section 29 (2) and must be dismissed."

To read the full decision in this matter and other human rights boards of inquiry, please visit humanrights.novascotia.ca.