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
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Jury finds Andrei Donet guilty of second-degree murder in stabbing death of Montreal teen
A jury has found a 21-year-old man guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Montreal teenager Jannai Dopwell-Bailey outside his school in 2021.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Investors watching posts from 'Crytpo King' in the wake of fraud, money laundering charges
Former investors of the self-styled “Crypto King” say they are watching his social media accounts and worried his displays of wealth are signs he’s spending their money, even now, as another large expense tied to Aiden Pleterski has triggered a previously unreported lawsuit.
Britain slammed in inquiry for infecting thousands with tainted blood and covering up the scandal
British authorities and the country's public health service knowingly exposed tens of thousands of patients to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products, and hid the truth about the disaster for decades, an inquiry into the U.K.'s infected blood scandal found Monday.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over actions taken during their seven-month war.