Human Rights Complaint Settled

Parties to a human rights complaint have come to a mutually agreeable settlement through a facilitated discussion about the wrong-doing and resulting harms. 

On Dec. 6, 2018, Terri McEachern filed a complaint of discrimination on behalf of her son over an incident at Glace Bay High School on Nov. 7, 2018.

Brett McEachern - who has cerebral palsy - was bullied into lying down in a brook alongside the school at lunch time when students proceeded to walk over him and call him names. Ms. McEachern was not satisfied with how the matter was handled by the school.

The Human Rights Commission worked with the parties through a restorative conference and was able to assist the parties in reaching an understanding of the issues and a resolution of the matter. Details of the resulting settlement agreement will remain private in accordance with a confidentiality clause.

"We would like to take this opportunity to recognize both Brett and our staff at Glace Bay High for their participation in this process," said Michelle MacLeod, spokesperson for the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education. "The determined focus of both Brett and the school was to ensure Brett felt safe and welcome in the school community. 

"Glace Bay High has taken this time to reflect and have found ways to make their school climate and culture even more positive in their continuing effort to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of their students." 

Brett and his mother are pleased with the resolution and offered the following joint statement.

"We are satisfied with this process and look forward to putting this matter behind us."

The commission would like to thank both parties for their participation and co-operation in working through this matter.