Montreuil v. Canadian Forces

Montreuil v. Canadian Forces

The Tribunal granted the request because the identified witnesses were more comfortable testifying in English and because providing simultaneous interpretation for Dr. Beltrami's testimony was necessary to ensure the expert witness (Dr. Karmel) could understand all nuances and thus properly assist the Tribunal.

Citation
2006 CHRT 55
Parties
Complainant: Micheline Montreuil; Commission: Canadian Human Rights Commission; Respondent: Canadian Forces
Court
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
2 November 2006
Procedural Posture
Human Rights / Interim Ruling
Outcome
request granted
Legal Topics
Language Interpretation, Witness Testimony, Accommodation, Disability Discrimination, Sex Discrimination
Source Language
English
Human Rights Administrative Law Evidence Law Language Interpretation Witness Testimony Accommodation Disability Discrimination Sex Discrimination

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Parties

Micheline Montreuil

Complainant

Canadian Human Rights Commission

Commission

Canadian Forces

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Human Rights / Interim Ruling

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether simultaneous interpretation services should be provided for witnesses who prefer to testify in English
  2. 2 Whether interpretation should be provided for a witness to ensure an expert witness can understand and respond to that testimony

Ratio Decidendi

The Tribunal granted the request because the identified witnesses were more comfortable testifying in English and because providing simultaneous interpretation for Dr. Beltrami's testimony was necessary to ensure the expert witness (Dr. Karmel) could understand all nuances and thus properly assist the Tribunal.

Court Disposition

request granted

Orders

  • Simultaneous interpretation services to be available during the testimony of Dr. Wilchesky, Dr. Karmel, Dr. Boddam, Dr. Newnham, Dr. Watson and Colonel Fletcher.
  • Simultaneous interpretation services to be available during the testimony of Dr. Beltrami to facilitate understanding by expert Dr. Karmel.