B.C. Court of Appeal dismisses bid by City of Nanaimo to overturn human rights award
The court said the tribunal reasonably found race played a role in Mema’s firing and left intact an award of more than $600,000.
- The Appeal Court upheld a decision Wednesday finding the City of Nanaimo discriminated against Victor Mema, a Black former chief financial officer, on the basis of race when it fired him in 2018.
- After Mema was fired in 2018 following a misconduct report over corporate credit card use, the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal found that race played a role in his suspension and dismissal.
- Although the City cited misconduct, the ruling states "misconduct and a racist motivation could coexist," and only the latter violated the Human Rights Code.
- After the City unsuccessfully sought a judicial review in Supreme Court, the tribunal's award of more than $600,000 to Mema for racial discrimination was upheld.
- Justice Geoffrey Gomery wrote on behalf of the Court that it did not matter if the City had cause for dismissal, because a racially motivated firing still violates the Human Rights Code.
13 Articles
13 Articles
B.C. Court of Appeal agrees race factored into firing of Nanaimo’s financial officer
The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled on May 13 that the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal was “not unreasonable” in its findings in 2023 of racial discrimination against the City of Nanaimo when the municipality fired an executive officer in 2018. The city had claimed Victor Mema, its former chief financial officer from 2016-18, who is black, was fired for serious misconduct for improperly using his corporate credit card, and implied he reprimand…
City of Nanaimo loses bid to overturn $600K award in racial discrimination case
The city had unsuccessfully sought a judicial review in B.C. Supreme Court of the tribunal's decision that awarded Nanaimo's former chief financial officer, Victor Mema, more than $600,000 for racial discrimination after his dismissal in 2018.
The Toronto Star
B.C. Court of Appeal dismisses bid by City of Nanaimo to overturn human rights award
VANCOUVER - The B.C. Court of Appeal says the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal was reasonable when it found the City of Nanaimo fired a Black employee and discriminated against
B.C. Court of Appeal dismisses bid by City of Nanaimo to overturn human rights award – Energeticcity.ca
A sheriff enters the Law Courts building, which is home to B.C. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, is seen in Vancouver, on Monday, January 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns VANCOUVER — The B.C. Court of Appeal says the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal was reasonable when it found the City of Nanaimo fired a Black employee and discriminated against him on the basis of race. The city had unsuccessfully sought a judicial review i…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
