Former Halifax firefighter to receive apology Monday after years of battle
Posted Dec 18, 2017 10:14:20 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A big day for a former Halifax firefighter battling what she has called longstanding, systemic gender discrimination within the fire service.
A news conference is scheduled for Monday at the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission where it is expected that Liane Tessier will receive an apology.
It's part of a settlement she reached with Halifax Fire that is also said to include financial compensation and a promise from the fire service to implement a number of changes that she has been calling for. Those policies include tracking hiring statistics, and making it easier for women to come forward about abuse.
This will bring to an end the 12 year long battle for Tessier, fighting back against what she has called abusive and disrespectful behaviour from some of her male counterparts withing Halifax fire.
Her case was ignored for years, until the Nova Scotia Supreme Court ordered the rights commission to take another look at it. That prompted a settlement and apology.
After news of the settlement, Tessier said this will not change everything, but she hopes other employers take note of how women are treated.
