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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
Transgendered woman Gabrielle Landrie had four days to make the case that she was discriminated against by Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger.

Gabrielle Landrie, a transgendered former student at Aurora College in Fort Smith, has argued her discrimination complaint against Finance Minister and Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger. - NNSL file photo

A member of the NWT Human Rights Adjudication Panel held a hearing in Fort Smith from Jan. 21 to 24.

Following the hearing, Landrie said she is confident and happy with the process.

"What had to be said was said," she said. "What had to be known, it's out there now."

Landrie, a 43-year-old who dresses and lives as a female after being born a male, claims she was discriminated against because of

her gender identity.

She has claimed she was approached several times by Miltenberger and asked to leave Aurora College in Fort Smith during a visit by Gov. Gen. David Johnston on Dec. 9, 2011.

Miltenberger, the MLA for Thebacha, was at the event as a GNWT representative and minister.

In an earlier written response through a lawyer to the NWT Human Rights Commission and again at the hearing, Miltenberger rejected the allegation that he discriminated against Landrie.

The two sides made their arguments before adjudicator James Posynick, a Yellowknife lawyer.

Landrie represented herself at the hearing, where she testified and called four witnesses.

The complainant alleges she was approached several times by Miltenberger and asked to leave Aurora College, where she was a student at the time, during the

Governor General's visit.

According to her version of events, she was told her presence and that of a friend in a hallway had "spooked" Johnston's security personnel because she had indicated a wish to meet him.

Landrie claims that being asked to leave the college was a denial of services prohibited under the NWT Human Rights Act.

Miltenberger testified at the hearing as did an RCMP officer who helped to provide security for the Governor General.

A written decision by the adjudicator is expected in about two months.

"The parties were informed that a decision would be forthcoming within 60 days," said Posynick. "That's the usual pace at which decisions are released."

In general terms, as an adjudicator he can dismiss a complaint or order certain actions as permitted by the NWT Human Rights Act.

"Those powers would be to make remedies for hurt feelings, injury to dignity and that sort of thing, and require respondents not to commit those acts again and other orders that might prevent the same type of action from occurring in the future," he said, noting that could also include the awarding of financial damages.

Landrie said she is only seeking an apology from Miltenberger.

"I don't care about his job. I don't care about his money," said the complainant. "What I do care about is that apology, a public apology."

An attempt by News/North to reach Miltenberger for comment following the hearing was unsuccessful.

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