For the PDF version of the statement, click here.
RELEASE
Marking the Hearing of Grant v Government of Yukon, Department of Highway and Public works
July 3, 2026 – Whitehorse, YT – Yukon Human Rights Commission
A hearing into Christine Grant’s (“Grant”) human rights complaint of discriminatory harassment in relation to her employment with the Government of Yukon, Department of Highway and Public Works (“Government of Yukon”) will be held from July 6 to July 10, 2026. Proceedings will commence at 9 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, 1171 Front Street, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 0G9, Whitehorse, YT. The hearing is open to the public.
Grant filed a complaint with the Yukon Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) on May 5, 2023 alleging that she experienced racial and sexual harassment from Government of Yukon staff throughout her employment, including repeated negative comments and jokes regarding Indigenous people and women, as well as inappropriate staring.
The Commission Members referred Grant’s complaint to the Yukon’s Human Rights Panel of Adjudicators (the “Panel”) for a hearing. The Panel is an independent body created under the Act to hear human rights complaints. The Yukon Human Rights Board of Adjudication (the “Board”) is established from the Panel by the Chief Adjudicator to hear individual complaints referred to the Panel. The Board will consist of Judith Hartling (Chief Adjudicator), Victoria Chan, and Roxane Larouche.
The Commission has asked the Board to decide on two overarching questions:
- Did Government of Yukon staff discriminate against and harass Grant in her employment on the basis of ancestry (including colour or race) and sex, contrary to subsections 7(a), 7(f), and 14 of the Human Rights Act (the “Act”)?
- If so, did the Government of Yukon meet its obligation pursuant to section 35 of the Act to prevent discriminatory conduct or, after learning of the conduct, tried to rectify the situation?
The Commission is an independent body that promotes equality and human rights through research, training, public education, and enforcement of the Act. The Commission does not represent complainants or respondents at hearings before a Board of Adjudication; the Commission is a separate third party to the complaint and takes the position most consistent with the Act. The Commission will be represented at the hearing by Legal Counsel, Emma Dickson.
If the Board finds that there was discrimination, it may order a Respondent to:
- stop the discrimination;
- pay the Complainant money for any financial loss caused by the discrimination;
- pay the Complainant money for injury to dignity, feelings, or self-respect;
- pay the Complainant what is called “exemplary damages” if the discrimination was “malicious” (meant to cause the Complainant hurt or distress); and
- pay the costs, for example lawyer fees.
Final decisions are published on the Panel of Adjudicators’ website and the Commission’s website.
For further information please contact Karen Moir, Director, at director@yukonhumanrights.ca, call us at (867) 667-6226 or visit our website www.yukonhumanrights.ca.