BLACK HAIR DISCRIMINATION CASE TO PROCEED, CRARR TO REPRESENT WOMAN IN CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT

Montreal, March 25, 2015 — CRARR has received the official mandate from Ms. Lettia McNickle to represent her in a complaint of race and gender discrimination in employment, to be filed with the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission against Madisons New York Grill & Bar, the restaurant chain.

Ms. McNickle has complained of being subjected to demeaning and differential treatments at work that involved, in part, her hairstyle, which is closely associated with her race, gender and cultural backgrounds.

This marks one of the first civil rights cases in Canada to involve the intersectionality of race and gender, and a hairstyle closely associated with Black people and culture. Litigation on this issue is common in the United States, where many African American women have sued employers for discriminatory grooming policy and dress code. An important case involving this issue is presently before the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Ms. McNickle's case will also address the employment of Black people in downtown commercial establishments, especially in upscale businesses.