Just did some web searching as I feel there as there might be another reason for RAY767's interest in this item and that is federal politics. It seems he is running for a M.P. in the next federal election so the cynic could say his involvement in this fight is for a seat in the "front bench" of parliament.
Before that will ever happen he has to be elected, but Justice or Human Rights would be a interest or if he loses back to the "friendly skies"??????????
The item below was taken from his political web site which is also a article from the Winnipeg Free Press.
Raymond getting results for pilots!
11/21/2009
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has decided in favour of two Air Canada pilots who complained their forced retirement at the age of 60 was discrimination.
"It's a pretty significant decision," said Raymond Hall, a now-retired Air Canada pilot in Winnipeg and lawyer who helped pilots George Vilven and Robert Neil Kelly in court.
Vilven and Kelly were both forced to retire from Air Canada at the age of 60, and took their cases to the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the body that reviews cases of alleged discrimination when employees fall under federal jurisdiction. Both were referred to the tribunal.
The tribunal initially rejected their complaints based on an exemption in the Canadian Human Rights Act letting employers defend mandatory retirement if the age is the industry norm, said Hall, and also rejected the argument that it was a breach of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
A federal court disagreed, he said, and found mandatory retirement was a charter breach. The case was sent back to the tribunal to see if the breach was reasonably justified. The tribunal found otherwise, and decided Air Canada could not justify the policy.
"It gives a clear message to employers that mandatory retirement has to be properly justified," said Hall.
Airline pilots are given frequent competency and medical tests to ensure they're capable of flying, he said.
In a press release, the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) expressed disappointment with the decision.
A spokesperson for Air Canada said the company was studying the decision and could not comment until their review was complete.
The decision has implications not just for aviation, but for all employees and employers under federal jurisdiction, including those involved in transportation, banking, and telecommunications, said Hall.
Both Air Canada and the pilots' union can seek a review of the decision within 30 days.
The issue of damages will be decided at a future hearing.
Hall, who also represented a coalition of pilots forced to retire called Fly Past 60, said he's unclear whether he would return to the skies with Air Canada if the company changed its mandatory retirement rule.
He's set to run federally for the Conservatives in Winnipeg South Centre against Liberal MP Anita Neville in the event an election is called.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 29, 2009 B1