N.S. teacher wins $12,000 in age discrimination case

Human rights inquiry found school board's mandatory retirement policy discriminatory

A Nova Scotia supply teacher has been awarded $12,000 after a human rights inquiry determined he was discriminated against because of his age.

The Annapolis Valley Regional school board removed John Cline from its list of substitute teachers when he turned 65.

Inquiry board chair Gilles Deveau said the school board's mandatory retirement policy, which has since been rescinded, didn't meet the necessary test to be exempted under provisions of the Human Rights Act.

The board was ordered to pay Cline $1,000 in general damages and $11,850 in lost income, plus interest.

In March, the government proposed legislation to ban mandatory retirement unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement. The legislation passed in May and the new law will come into effect on July 1, 2009.

Other provinces that have banned mandatory retirement include: Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Saskatchewan's ban on mandatory retirement comes into force on Nov. 17, while British Columbia's ban comes into force on Jan. 1, 2008.

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