THE MONTREAL STAR, TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977
Hilton nicked
for 1964 race bias
 

The Appeal Court has ruled that Hilton Canada Ltd. must pay a $25 fine because, 13 years ago, one of its employees went against its "general policy of non-discrimination" and discriminated against a black nurse seeking employment.      The case originated in the summer of 1964 when the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, operated by the Hilton chain, placed an advertisement in a local newspaper for two graduate nurses.      On Sept. 2, 1964, the day after the province's law on discrimination in employment came into force, nurse Gloria Baylis went to the hotel's personnel department to file am application. She was told by an employee there that both openings had been filled.      The next day, a review of the evidence by the court showed, she phoned the

personnel department and was told both positions were still vacant and that applications were still being received.      Following an investigation by the Minimum Wage Commission, a charge of discrimination was laid against the hotel.      In court, the hotel explained that the employee in the personnel department was only filling that position temporarily while a more experienced employee was away.      It also pointed to its "general policy of non-discrimination" and said its its employee had gone against that policy.      In its ruling, the Appeal Court agreed with the lower court judge's decision that the hotel is responsible for its employee's act of discrimination.      The delay in the case being heard was attributed to legal procedures.

 

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