PEI Workplace Human Rights Conference: Monday April 27: Zoom April 30, 2026

 

Keystone Cohorts HR Consulting Presents a One Day Workshop on Preventing Workplace Human Rights Complaints in PEI: Monday April 27, 2026.

Zoom Thursday April 30, 2026

Human Rights Training for Employers & HR Managers in PEI

Approved by the PEI CPHR for Continuing Professional Development Credits : 6 hours

Register Now — Secure Your Seat

Workplace Human Rights in PEI – A New Frontier

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

Y.Z. v Halifax Regional Development: $1 million reduced to $600,000 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 $600,000. 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.

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.

Francis v B.C. $965,515

This was also a case involving adverse treatment due to race, which caused a permanent emotional disability, preventing the complainant from returning to gainful employment. The total award, after discounts, was $965.515. Absent such reductions, it would have been $1.2 million.

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.

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.

Olivia, Pascoe & Strong v Gursoy (Alberta Human Rights Tribunal) $275,000

The three complainants were sexually harassed by the respondent. Gursoy sued two of the women alleging the Human Rights Complaints were defamatory. The awards were for sexual harassment and reprisal.

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

The Presenter

David Q. Harris, former Employment Law litigation counsel, author of Wrongful Dismissal,
Harris on Employment Law & Workplace Human Rights.

Two Registration Options

Seating is limited.

Option 1 Live in Person Monday April 27, 2026

Details

When: Monday April 27, 2026

Where: The Hollis Halifax, a DoubleTree Suites by Hilton

1649 Hollis Street, Halifax B3J 1V8
Cost: $650 plus HST


Register now

 Option 2 Zoom Presentation Thursday April 30, 2026

Details

When: Thursday April 30, 2026

Where: Zoom Link to be Provided

Cost: $299 plus HST


Register now

 

Contact

Further inquiries:
maureen@empl-law.com

Leave a Reply