B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodivergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
The tribunal reached a decision in the case on May 2, formalizing a financial settlement agreement between the actor, Maurice Kimball, and the Kelowna Actors Studio.
Under the terms of the agreement, the theatre will pay the actor $35,000 for injury to his dignity, feelings, and self-respect; $18,998 for expenses incurred as a result of the discriminatory conduct; and $1,200 for lost wages, plus interest.
Kimball's mother brought the claim to the tribunal on Dec. 15, 2017, when the actor was 14 years old.
Earlier that year, the theatre company hired Kimball to play the lead role in its production of Billy Elliot: The Musical, a role he had performed elsewhere twice before, according to the tribunal's decision.
Kimball attended his first rehearsal for the part in June of that year. But less than three weeks later, his mother received an email from the theatre saying it was terminating the actor's employment.
While the company's reasons for firing the actor are not outlined in the tribunal's decision, tribunal member Andrew Robb wrote that the theatre "acknowledges that it did not meet its legal obligation to accommodate Mr. Kimball’s disabilities up to the point of undue hardship before terminating his employment."
The tribunal did not hold a hearing into the matter because the actor and the studio reached a settlement agreement privately. However, both parties asked the tribunal to enter the facts and remedies of the case into a formal consent order.
As part of that background, both sides agreed that Kimball is an "experienced and accomplished musical theatre and dance performer."
They acknowledged that Kimball had been diagnosed with "certain disabilities that are considered neurodivergent conditions, including sensory processing disorder, central auditory processing disorder," as well as learning disorders related to math, reading and writing.
The tribunal says the discrimination has had a significant impact on the actor's mental health, affecting his future career plans, education and his desire to continue performing.
As part of the consent order, the theatre company agreed to pay the actor $55,198 in remedies and avoid discriminating in similar circumstances in the future.
The tribunal also ordered the Kelowna Actors Studio to implement sensitivity training and education in the workplace and adopt an employment equity program to accommodate those with learning and sensory disabilities in its classes and productions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump delivers rambling response to conviction in hush money trial
A day after a New York jury delivered a historic guilty verdict in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee held a press conference Friday where he spoke publicly about the conviction and his White House bid.
Mediterranean diet helps women live much longer, a large new study finds
Women who closely followed a Mediterranean diet lived much longer than those who did not, according to a new study that followed more than 25,000 women for 25 years.
How did Ontario's bankrupt 'Crypto King' travel the world on Scene+ points?
Newly released documents suggest Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ paid for months of world travels with $13,000 worth of Scene+ points while bankrupt – but how?
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Solutions coming for piled-up bodies outside Newfoundland hospital
Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador say they are only weeks away from a solution to move unclaimed human remains out of roadside freezers and into a nearby hospital.
Actor Nick Pasqual charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing estranged girlfriend
An actor who has appeared in film and TV projects like 'Rebel Moon' and 'How I Met Your Mother' has been arrested and charged with stabbing his estranged girlfriend multiple times.
'Unprecedented': Human smuggling from B.C. to U.S. soars, using train, Uber and foot
American prosecutors and law enforcement officers say they're dealing with a huge increase in human smuggling from British Columbia.
The northern lights are returning to night skies across Canada this Friday
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
Incendiary device thrown at Vancouver synagogue, Jewish Federation says
An incendiary device was thrown at a Vancouver synagogue Thursday night, leading to increased police presence at local institutions, the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver says.