CALGARY — A blind person with a seeing eye dog can’t rent an apartment because the landlord doesn’t want animals in the building. A young woman is sexually harassed by a superior. A middle-aged person isn’t hired after being told he is too old for the job.
These are the types of complaints coming before Alberta’s Human Rights Commission, which is undergoing a public review. For the most part, people are calling it a worthwhile body at hearings across the province, says chief commissioner Jack O’Neill.
A report on the future and duties of the commission is expected by the end of April.
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Without the commission many of those with a complaint would have to hire a lawyer, which can be intimidating and expensive. The commission, with a budget of $1.6 million and 22 staff members handled 618 complaints last year — all for free.
Referred to other agencies
About 25,000 calls come to the commission each year said O’Neill. Some of these cases are referred to other agencies like labor relations, social services or the ombudsman’s office.
The majority of the calls to the commission are work-related. Age, sexual and emotional harassment are common.
“We can expect an awful lot more (complaints) when times are very difficult,” said O’Neill.
One of the complaints the commission has heard is that investigations take too long. Because so many complaints are sensitive, investigators are careful to be fair to all involved in a case.
