Keystone Cohorts HR Consulting Presents a One Day Workshop on Preventing Human Rights Complaints in Alberta

Human Rights Training for Employers & HR Managers in Alberta

(Pending Approval by the Alberta CPHR for Continuing Professional Development Credits : 6 hours)

Register Now — Secure Your Seat Calgary June 26: Edmonton July 10: Zoom July 17, 2026

Human Rights in Alberta – A New Frontier

A critical program for employers, HR managers, business owners, and leadership teams responsible for workplace compliance under Alberta human rights law.

Significant Human Rights Decisions

Olivia, Pascoe & Strong v Gursoy: Alberta Human Rights Tribunal : $230,000

The three complainants were successful in their assertion of sexual harassment and reprisal. A total award was made of $230,000, all for emotional distress damages.

City of Calgary v CUPE $835,000

Lost income allowed of 2.5 years to the date of hearing plus 5.5 years of future income loss. Total award for lost income of 8 years was $712,000.

Francis v Ministry of Justice: B.C. Human Rights Tribunal: $940,000

An award of emotional distress damages due to adverse treatment due to race was made of $176,000 after a 20% discount to account for extraneous factors. A lost income claim was granted for lost earnings due to the date of the hearing of $264,000, a period of 7 years and 4 months plus a sum for future loss of 12 years of $500,000. These sums were net of a 20% discount. The total award was $940,000.

Y.Z. v Halifax Regional Development: $1 million reduced to $570,400 in Damages

This case found that the complainant had been treated adversely due to race. It was found that he had suffered permanent emotional harm due to the continuum of this human rights violation.

He was awarded $80,000 for emotional suffering after a discount of 40% to account for other factors impacting on his emotional well-being. His spouse, a non-party to the proceeding, was found to be also affected and was given an award of $25,000.

The complainant was also given sums for lost income, both past and future, in the sum of $433,000. This was again after the same 40% discount and a further 10% reduction to account for his failure to accept an alternate position in a different work site.

The total award was $570,400. Had the discounts not been required, the award would have exceeded $1 million.

$700,000 in Damages Blaney v New Brunswick

The recent decision of the New Brunswick Labour & Employment Board has signaled a new day for Human Rights Cases in New Brunswick. The Board of Inquiry, in the reasons provided by its Chair Person, David Mombourquette, ordered the New Brunswick Government to pay $700,000 in total damages to the complainant, Margaret-Ann Blaney.

The award arose out of a finding of adverse treatment due to political belief, a protected human right  in New Brunswick. The award consisted of several components, damages for injured feelings, a lost income award and an award for damages incurred due to need to sell her residence due to the public shaming she was encountering.

The award for injured feelings was set at $230,000, an unprecedented sum in New Brunswick. The prior high-side award had been $40,000. This is the highest award ever made in Canadian Human Rights jurisprudence. There have been awards close to this sum. One decision from British Columbia ordered $176,000, and an Ontario case set the damage claim at $200,000. It is not altogether out of range, yet it does remain a dramatic departure from the norm in New Brunswick.

An additional sum was ordered for lost income. The complainant was in the midst of a five year contract when terminated, which allowed for a claim to the end of this term. This sum totaled $400,000. The loss of the sale of the house has been estimated to be $20,000.

Lost Income awards in Human Rights cases have been enormous. Decisions have awarded as much as 10 to 12 years lost income, and/or reinstatement.

Chilliwack Teachers’ Assoc v Neufeld BC Human Rights Tribunal $750,000

An award was made of this sum to a collective group of teachers who had been maligned by adverse statements made by a School Board Trustee regarding LGBTQ teachers.

Walsh v Mobil Oil $900,000 (Alberta Court of Appeal)

Walsh was treated adversely due to gender and also was subjected to reprisal. She recovered lost income for 6 years plus emotional suffering damages.

Reverend Matheson v Presbytery of PEI $600,000

The Reverend was treated adversely due to gender. She recovered lost income and emotional distress damages and was reinstated as a minister of the Church. Total award was $600,000.

Fair v Hamilton-Wentworth (Ontario Court of Appeal) $600,000 & Reinstatement

Employer failed to accommodate Fair’s emotional disability. She recovered 13 years of lost income, emotional distress damages and was reinstated.

A.B. v Singer Shoes (Ontario Court of Appeal) $200,000 Emotional Suffering

A.B. was found to have been sexually harassed for 18 years. This is the highest award for emotional distress in Ontario to date.

The potential liability is gargantuan. Yet, claims of this nature are entirely preventable.

In this program, you will learn all about the human rights process and how to avoid these claims and ensure a safe and secure workplace.

Download Course Outline

Three Registration Options

Option 1 Live in Person Calgary June 26, 2026

Seating is limited.

Option 1 Live in Person Edmonton July 10, 2026

Option 3 Zoom Presentation Friday July 17, 2026