J. House

The complainant, a Black woman, alleged that the respondent discriminated against her on the basis of race when he refused to rent her a basement apartment.

After the complainant was treated dismissively by the respondent, her white roommate viewed the same apartment and was enthusiastically offered the unit.

The Board of Inquiry found that the respondent's stated reasons for the differing treatment were pretextual and that his assumption that the complainant would be noisy and financially unstable was based on racial stereotypes.

The Board concluded that the respondent infringed the complainant's right to equal treatment in accommodation under the Human Rights Code and awarded $4,300 in damages.

The complainant, an East Indian man with extensive education and experience, alleged that the Ministry of Community and Social Services discriminated against him on the basis of race and ethnic origin by repeatedly failing to promote him over a 17-year period.

He applied for 30 promotional positions without success.

The Board of Inquiry reviewed the evidence, including expert testimony on systemic racism and employment equity, and the specific job competitions.

The Board found that the complainant was not qualified for the senior management Programme Supervisor positions.

For the Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor positions, the Board concluded that the successful candidates were either more qualified or selected for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons.

The complaint was dismissed.

The complainant, who is blind and uses a guide dog, alleged that the respondents discriminated against her by refusing to show or rent her an apartment.

The respondents attempted to discourage her interest and subsequently refused to allow her to view the apartment.

The Board of Inquiry found that both respondents infringed the complainant's right to equal treatment with respect to the occupancy of accommodation because of her handicap.

The Board awarded the complainant $660 for the rent differential and $2,500 for mental anguish.