Telus, one of Canada’s largest telecommunications companies, has been ordered to pay damages for trespassing on a woman’s property by the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal.
The incident occurred in 2018 when Telus employees entered the woman’s property without her consent to install a utility pole. The woman, who is of Indigenous descent, had previously expressed her concerns about the pole’s placement and potential impact on her traditional territory.
The tribunal found that Telus had violated the woman’s human rights by failing to accommodate her cultural and spiritual beliefs. The woman had requested that the pole be moved to a different location, but Telus did not make any efforts to do so.
In its ruling, the tribunal stated that Telus had a duty to accommodate the woman’s beliefs and that their actions had caused her significant distress and harm. The company was ordered to pay $10,000 in damages to the woman and to relocate the pole to a mutually agreed upon location.
This decision serves as a reminder to companies to respect the rights and beliefs of Indigenous peoples when conducting business on their traditional territories. It also highlights the importance of proper communication and accommodation when dealing with sensitive issues.
Telus has since apologized to the woman and stated that they will work to improve their processes and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
This ruling sets a precedent for other companies to follow and emphasizes the need for cultural sensitivity and respect in all business dealings. It also serves as a step towards reconciliation and recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
