Yellowknife (Nov 29/04) - A one-time job applicant has filed a charge of discrimination against the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.

A tribunal is waiting on a hearing date to deal with the charge.

Executive director Bob Wooley declined to comment on the specifics of the complaint or what led to it, but said it relates to a "hiring issue" dating back to 2001.

"The person felt they should've been hired (by the board)," said Wooley.

The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board is responsible for issuing all water licences and land-use permits for most of the NWT.

According to Greg Smith, registrar for the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the name of the complainant is Dr. Gian Sangha.

He said Sangha is accusing the board of violating Section 7 of the Canadian Human Rights Act. The section states that it is a discriminatory practice to: "(a) refuse to employ or continue to employ an individual, or (b) in the course of employment, to differentiate adversely in relation to an employee, on a prohibited ground of discrimination."

Smith said the basis on which the complaint was made covers "race, national ethnic origin, colour, religion and age."

"They may have applied for a job and were refused and are complaining on the basis of discrimination," said Smith.

News/North couldn't determine the current whereabouts of Sangha, although Smith said his office has received correspondences related to the complaint from a Calgary address.

Smith said the tribunal took over the file July 14 of this year after an investigation into the complaint was completed by the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Smith said the tribunal could award financial compensation if it rules in favour of the complainant.

The board's 2004 financial statements refer to the tribunal case, and the possibility of having to pay damages to the complainant.

"The nature of the remedy being claimed is not clear, but may, if the complainant is successful, include a monetary penalty in the form of either damages or costs," the statements reads.