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CANANDA: City seeks judicial review after losing human rights case; Zim ex-employee awarded US$500k over discrimination
By The Vancouver Sun
The City of Nanaimo is to apply for a judicial review of a B.C. Human Rights Tribunal decision that found in favour of a former employee who complained the city had discriminated against him on the basis of race.
Council met in a special session on Wednesday and voted in favour of seeking a review.
The tribunal decided that the misconduct report contained a “distinct underlying thread of racial bias,” and was discriminatory and, therefore, council’s decision was discriminatory.
The tribunal awarded Mema $583,413 in compensation for lost wages. The city was also ordered to pay $50,000 for injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect and another $10,150 for expenses incurred as a result of a contravention of the B.C. Human Rights Code.
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said the city did not agree with the tribunal’s characterization of city staff.
“Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the city, the city’s staff and the citizens of the community to seek such review.”