Local seniors’ home faces ageism issue

By Collin Gallant on October 3, 2017.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com @CollinGallant

A move to expand how age discrimination applies to the Alberta Human Rights Act has left some seniors wondering if an unintended consequence could be court challenges by younger tenants against adult-only or 55-plus condo complexes.

The issue was raised early this year after a court challenge and a ruling that the province must update provisions in the act before the end of the year.

MLA Bob Wanner is scheduled to hold an open house today to discuss the issue with local seniors and condo association heads.

Seniors and Housing Minister Lori Sigurdson discussed the issue in May during a visit to Medicine Hat, stating she was hearing concern from seniors.

She said many choose to live in adult-only condo complexes, and are afraid they would be accused of discriminating against younger people or those with children.

“The decision is that we can’t discriminate on the basis of age,” she told the News on May 12. “But seniors say they’ve chosen those sorts of facilities and like the demographic.

“We’ve asked for a year to assess the impact. We’re looking at these cases to see if there needs to exemptions.”

Lawyers say the Human Rights Commission could be hearing complaints on such matters in early January, or earlier if the province passes amendments this fall.

The local event, consisting of a question and answer, will run from 10 a.m. to noon today at the Kinplex social room.