(Please note that my website provider is solely
responsible for the banner, and pop-up ads on this site. While annoying, rest assured there are no viruses or spyware
attached to these)
____________________________________
NOTE: This is the only correspondence I've had with this office to date. The reason
for this is eventually explained below.
----- Original
Message -----
From: Tom Brown
To: Canadian Human Rights Commission
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 10:43 PM
Subject: Discrimination
Thomas Brown
1114 – C Blackwood St. N.
Regina, Sask.
S4X 3E5
June 12, 2005
Re: Saskatchewan WCB
Claim # 1007 0989 21D
Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission File # RG-03-024
To Whom It May Concern:
By way of introduction my name is Thomas Brown and I’m
a 47-yr-old single, disabled father of one. My 11-yr-old daughter and I reside together in Regina SK. In 1997 I was working
as a certified utility arborist, and had been employed as such for nearly 16 years. In September of 1997 a very significant
change occurred to my work duties. It was at the precise time of this significant change that I sustained serious injury to
my cervical spine (neck).
I
have undergone 2 surgeries to repair the damage to my neck, the last of which permanently disabled me with a condition known
as a "Brown Sequard" syndrome (little to no sensation on the left half of my body - moderate to severe paralysis on the right).
In addition to this I still have the severe, chronic pain that the surgeries were meant to relieve.
Regardless that this work injury has been fully substantiated
by my former employer, former spouse, family physician, neurosurgeon, and 2 independent radiologists, the Saskatchewan WCB
continues to deny me work injury benefits. The board has ignored all medical evidence that supports my work injury claim,
including that which they themselves obtained. The only medical opinion the board has accepted is that of its’ own general
practitioner, which is based on erroneous and incomplete information.
Attached to this email is the most recent of several appeals
I have filed. In it I have raised 7 key issues that prove conclusively that the boards’ handling of my work injury claim
has been deliberate, dishonest, and extremely bias. Upon your review of this appeal, I am confident you will find the same.
Please be advised that all of these issues have been raised in the past, and all have either been outright ignored, or sidestepped
by the members of the board at the WCB.
I have contacted numerous government officials concerning
the boards’ misconduct, including the minister responsible for the WCB. The minister claims it would be inappropriate
for her office to interfere with the boards’ decision-making process. She also claims to have ensured that a fair and appropriate process was followed.
Of particular interest, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission
has also refused to investigate into the complaints I have filed with them. Regardless that I have proven the board exceeded
its’ jurisdiction, and violated my right to non-discriminatory treatment, the SHRC has dismissed these complaints with,
“The commission does not act as an appeal body to the WCB.”
I have never received any compensation for my work injury,
and have been unemployable since it occurred. For nearly 8 years now I have been forced to support my daughter and I with
my Canada Disability Pension. Only with subsidy from Social Services do we just manage to get by. The most frustrating part
of this is that I know I sustained a work injury, and am entitled to work injury benefits. I am also aware that the means
in which the WCB continues to deny my work injury claim, far exceed its’ jurisdiction, and violate my right to non-discriminatory
treatment.
Although it may be seem hard to believe after 8 years, my
determination has remained intact, and I will not relent until this wrong has been put right. It is my sincerest hope that
your office will assist me in this undertaking.
Sincerely, Tom Brown
----- Original Message -----
From: INFO COM
To: t_brown@accesscomm.ca
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 4:35 PM
Subject: Re: Discrimination
Thank you for your e-mail of June 13, 2005, sent to our info.com address.
We have reviewed the details of your request for assistance and must inform you that the Canadian Human Rights
Commission is not able to provide the help you require. Our enabling legislation, the Canadian Human Rights Act,
empowers the Commission to investigate allegations of discrimination in employment and in the provision of services, within federal
jurisdiction only. This would exclude the matter in question.
I would suggest that you contact your Member of
the Legislature and/or the Saskatchewan Ombudsman; the latter's telephone number is: 1-800-667-7180.
You may
also wish to consult the following:
ARCH - Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped 110 - 425 Bloor St. East,
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R5 Telephone 416-482-8255 TTY 416-482-1254 Website: www.arch-online.org
Council
of Canadians with Disabilities 926-294 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB Tel & TTY 204-947-0303 Website: www.ccdonline.ca
E-mail: ccd@ccdonline.ca
I hope that the above information is helpful. Thank you again for writing.
Intake
Services / Services d'accueil Telephone/Téléphone 1-888-214-1090 | TTY (teletypewriter)/ATS (téléscripteur) 1-888-643-3304
Fax/Télécopieur 613-996-9661 info.com@chrc-ccdp.ca | www.chrc-ccdp.ca Canadian Human Rights
Commission | 344 Slater Street, Ottawa ON K1A 1E1 Commission canadienne des droits de la personne | 344 rue Slater, Ottawa
(Ontario) K1A 1E1 Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
There has been no further correspondence to date.
Normally I would post
an email address for the Canadian Human Rights Commission, which would enable readers to comment on these proceedings.
However, I’m of the feeling that this might well be the one government body with a bona fide reason for not becoming
involved in my situation.
