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Human Rights Legislation
Midterm - Topic 5
36
Business
Undergraduate 2
02/26/2015

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Cards

Term

 Charter vs. Human Rights Legislation

Definition

Charter protects from GOVERNMENT

 

Human Rights protect from INDIVIDUALS/CORPORATIONS/GOV. FUNDED BODIES & GOV. ACTING IN PRIVATE CAPACITY

(ex. employment relations)

Term
Federal Human Rights referred to as
Definition

1) "Canadian Human Rights Act"

2) "Canadian Human Rights Commission"

  • applies to sectors regulated by Fed. Legislation       (s.91 & POGG)
Term
Provincial Legislation referred as
Definition

"Alberta Human Rights Act (AHRA)"

"Alberta Human Rights Commisson" 

  • provincially controlled areas (s. 92)
Term

What is the AHRA (ie. what type of legislation)

Purpose?

Definition
  1. Primacy legislation (all Alberta statues must comply unless notwithstanding)
  2. Purpose = provide a level playing field
  • not to be used for retaliation
Term
Protected Areas? (5)
Definition
  • Publications/notices
  • Public Services (excluding age) ex. accomadations
  • Tenancy
  • Employment
  • Union/Prof. Association Membership
Term
Prohibited Grounds? (general)
Definition
Race, Colour, Place of Origin, Religion, Physical/Mental Disability (incl. alcoholics), Gender, Family Status, Marital Status, Source of Income, Age, Sexual Orientation
Term
You have a duty to reasonably accomodate individuals unless?
Definition

Unless the business will experience "undue hardship" 

  • point at which it is not reasonable to accomdate an individual
Term
Can Employers discriminate to meet a genuine job qualification?
Definition
Yes, it must be a "Bona Fide Occupation Requirement" and must be justified
Term
What are some examples of Accomodation? (ie. Dute to accomodate)
Definition
  1. Wheelchair accessibility
  2. Revised work hours
  3. Service dogs
  4. Oberservance of religion throughout workday
  5. Type of work
Term

What falls under "Publications/Notices" (Protected Area)

What is an exception?

Where do Human Rights not apply?

Definition
  1. Signs, symbols, emblems, statements, which indicated discrimination against person/class
  2. EXCEPTION: Freedom of Opinion

**DOES NOT apply to bona fide occupational requirements or gender specific facilities

Term

What Falls Under Public Services? (Protected Area)

What does it NOT protect?

Definition
  • Goods/Services/Accomodation (hotels/campgrounds) & facilities

**DOES NOT protect grounds of age. Public services CAN discriminate based on age (ie. restuarants/nightclubs/hotels/theatres/rec. facilities)

Term

What falls under Tenancy (Protected Area) 

What does it NOT protect?

Definition
  • Renting/Owning a home
**DOES NOT protected grounds of age
Term

What falls under Employment? (Protected Area)

What is the exception?

Definition
  • Employers entitiled to hire based on competence/experience/education
  • Employment practices should be clear, objective & fair

** Bona fide occupational requirments may be an exception IF JUSTIFIED/LEGITIMATE

Term
What is the 3-part test for Bona Fide Occupational Requirements?
Definition
  1. Requirement must have a rational connection to job
  2. Standard/testing must be adopted in good faith
  3. Employer must show it is impossible to  accomodate employee w/out undue hardship
Term
What are relateive criteria when considering "Undue Hardship"
Definition
  • Cost
  • Disruption of operations
  • Morale issues
  • Business (being affected) size
  • Safety Concerns

** Employers should seek legal advice

Term
Does the Human Rights Commission have jurisdiction to decide whether employers can require mandatory drug/alcohol testing?
Definition
No
Term
Are recreational drug users recognized by the "disabilities" prohibited grounds?
Definition

No, only drug and alcohol DEPENDENCIES are recognized

 

However, they may complain if employer discriminated on basis of "perceived" drug/alcohol dependencies

 

Term
To what point does a "duty to accomdate" end with drug/alcohol dependencies?
Definition
If the employer fails to follow treatment requirements, the employer no longer has the duty to accomodate.
Term
How to cure Harassment in the Workplace?
Definition

Many harassment issues are not related to prohibited grounds. May not be viable in court. 

 

Best defence is to set out a harassment policy & ensure policy is communicated and followed

Term
What does the prohibited grounds "Union/Professional Association Membership" protect against?
Definition

No trade union or employer organization or occupational association shall EXCLUDE/EXPEL/SUSPEND/DISCRIMINATE against ANY person for membership 

 

(on basis on 13 prohibited grounds)

Term
alberta human rights commission vs. administrative tribunals?
Definition

AHRC - Organizate & mandate, Process, Power & remedies

 

ADMIN. TRIBUNALS - enforce, appeal & judicial review

Term
  1. What branch are adminstrative tribunals part of?
  2. Purpose?
  3. How do they operate?
Definition
  1. Executive (boards/commissions)
  2. To Implement & Enforce gov. policy
  3. QUASI-JUDICIAL
  • conduct hearing
  • hear evidence under oath
  • make decisions affecting people's rights
Term
Are Adminstrative Tribunals a Court?
Definition

NO.

  1. Members are NOT independent judges (appointed by gov.)
  2. Critics question bias
  3. jurisdiction limited to enabling legislation 
Term
An Administrative Tribunal Created By Enabling Statute (Alberta Human Rights Act) w/ Power to Make Subordinate Legislation?
Definition
Alberta Human Rights Commisson
Term
What are the 3 sections of the AHRC?
Definition

1) Tribunal

2) Complaint

3) Education & Engagement

 

** Tribunals hear and adjudicate complaints

Term
What is Issue Estoppel?
Definition

When making a juman rights compaint, sometimes the facts can allow 2 different venues to handle complaint. 

 

If you choose the wrong route, your case may be lost.

 

** Complain to commission, not to courts

Term

1) How long does a vicitim have to complain who believes the AHRA has been breached?

 

2) How long does the respondent have to reply?

Definition

1) 1 year

 

** By victim or ANY PERSON who has reasonable grounds

 

2) 21 days

 

 

Term
Define Concilliation?
Definition
Attempt to settle complaint
Term
After investigations, what are the 3 decisions that may be made?
Definition
Settlement, Dismissal or Discontinuance
Term

Internal appeals go to whom, how long?

(If complainant disagrees w/ dismissal or discontinuance)

Definition
Chief Commissioner, 30 days
Term
What can the AHRC order?
Definition

1) complaint dismissed

2) discriminatory act to stop

3) grant rights previously denied

4) grant compensation

5) award damages

 

Term
How is the AHRC decision enforced?
Definition
Through Cour of Queen's Bench
Term
Who does a party appeal to in an AHRC case?
Definition
Court of Queen's Bench
Term
Is judicial review the same as an appeal? Where do you apply for judicial review?
Definition

NO. Apply at Court of Queen's Bench.

 

**Court reviews JURISDICTION and PROCESS

Term
When is the tribunal's decision subject ot judicial review?
Definition

1) Enabling statue declared invalid if it does not conform to the constitution 

2) if the decision-maker exceeds their authority

3)is there is a lack of procedural fairness 

(ie. Fair hearing w/ adequate notice, decision made by person who hear evidence, free from bias)

Term
What was the Vriend case regarding? (gay employee terminated from Christian College)
Definition

Vriend did NOT sue college (he had no grounds)

he DID sue AHRC b/c of lack of grounds for sexual orientation.

 

Used Equality and Enforcement sections of the charter

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