Human Rights Commission hearing wraps today for a former employee versus a local company

By Tim Kalinowski on September 7, 2017.

tkalinowski@medicinehatnews.com @MHNTimKal

A public hearing for the Alberta Human Rights Commission in the case of Shaharyar Ahmad versus CF Chemicals Ltd. began Sept. 5 and will conclude today.

Ahmad, a former engineer at CF Chemicals Ltd. in Medicine Hat, after being dismissed in 2010 launched his complaint of “systemic discrimination and racism” within the company.

Ahmad, representing himself, is facing off against CF attorney Tom Valentine during the hearing. The case is being adjudicated by William McFetridge, acting chief of the Commission and Tribunals.

Ahmad said he was happy to see his case finally arrive at this point after a six-year legal battle.

“They (CF) are disputing (my claim) for the last six years,” Ahmad told the News Wednesday during a break. “We have had a number of back and forths, and we have even had to go to the Court of Queen’s Bench to have the original Alberta Human Rights Commission decision, (which initially dismissed the case) overturned. The result is we are here now at this public hearing.”

Ahmad said he has suffered a severe blow to his professional reputation and prospects since lodging his complaint, with CF claiming he was dismissed for performance reasons instead of discriminatory practice. He hopes the public hearing will result in a written apology, compensation from the company and a formal Human Rights Commission investigation into the company’s corporate culture.

“Let’s put the facts on the table and let’s let the Human Rights Commission and the public decide who is right and who is wrong,” stated Ahmad.

CF Industries representatives declined comment Wednesday but said the company would provide a communications officer to speak to the case today.