WestJet wants B.C. court to toss proposed class action that alleges harassment
VANCOUVER — WestJet says a proposed class-action lawsuit that accuses the company of failing to provide a harassment-free workplace for female employees is an abuse of process that should be thrown out of court.
The Calgary-based airline argued in a British Columbia Supreme Court on Thursday that the legal claim would be better dealt with through a human rights tribunal or workers’ compensation board.
The company’s lawyer, Don Dear, said WestJet is not disputing the substance of the allegations but believes the arguments are being heard in an improper venue.
“This is not a defence of poor behaviour or an argument that sexual harassment is anything other than completely inappropriate and completely wrong,” Dear told the court.