Groupe d'aide et d'information sur le harcèlement sexuel au travail de la province de Québec inc. v. Barbe

Groupe d'aide et d'information sur le harcèlement sexuel au travail de la province de Québec inc. v. Barbe

The settlement agreement is not absolutely privileged; because portions of the agreement are arguably relevant to live issues of liability and damages in the separate proceeding against Barbe, the Tribunal ordered in‑camera review and limited disclosure of only those provisions arguably relevant, subject to strict...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
2003 CHRT 15
Parties
Complainant: Groupe d’aide et d’information sur le harcèlement sexuel au travail de la province de Québec inc.; Commission: Canadian Human Rights Commission; Respondent: Jean Barbe; Respondent (employer in Separate Complaint): Société Radio-Canada
Court
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
2 April 2003
Procedural Posture
Canadian Human Rights Act Complaint (workplace Sexual Harassment) / Pre Hearing Ruling on Disclosure of Settlement Agreement and Application to Add Complainant
Outcome
Partial disclosure ordered subject to in-camera review and confidentiality; request to add Mme Des Rosiers adjourned
Legal Topics
Settlement Disclosure, Privilege and Without Prejudice Communications, Conciliation Confidentiality, Joinder/addition of Parties, Assessment of Damages and Double Recovery
Source Language
english
Human Rights Law Employment Law Evidence Law Civil Procedure Settlement Disclosure Privilege and Without Prejudice Communications Conciliation Confidentiality Joinder/addition of Parties +1 more

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Groupe d’aide et d’information sur le harcèlement sexuel au travail de la province de Québec inc.

Complainant

Canadian Human Rights Commission

Commission

Jean Barbe

Respondent

Société Radio-Canada

Respondent (employer in Separate Complaint)

Procedural Posture

Canadian Human Rights Act Complaint (workplace Sexual Harassment) / Pre Hearing Ruling on Disclosure of Settlement Agreement and Application to Add Complainant

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether a settlement agreement reached through conciliation is relevant to and disclosable in separate proceedings against an alleged harasser
  2. 2 Whether the settlement agreement is protected by statutory or common law privilege
  3. 3 Whether the individual allegedly aggrieved (Mme Des Rosiers) should be added as a complainant at this stage

Ratio Decidendi

The settlement agreement is not absolutely privileged; because portions of the agreement are arguably relevant to live issues of liability and damages in the separate proceeding against Barbe, the Tribunal ordered in‑camera review and limited disclosure of only those provisions arguably relevant, subject to strict confidentiality terms; the Commission's request to add Mme Des Rosiers as complainant is adjourned for determination by the hearing member upon a fuller evidentiary record.

Court Disposition

Partial disclosure ordered subject to in-camera review and confidentiality; request to add Mme Des Rosiers adjourned