Quebec

An award of $5,000 was made to a woman whose manager confided to her repeatedly about his personal life, encouraged her to leave her spouse, made unwelcome comments of her physical appearance and tried to create situations where physical contact with her would be possible all over a period of years¹.

A similar award of $7,000² was made to a woman who was the subject of sexually harassing attitudes, behaviours, insults and reprisals over many months.

As noted, one Quebec decision did allow for $5,000 as a punitive damage award due to the company’s adverse treatment of its workers³. One would expect a severe sexual harassment claim would give rise to a similar award.

1. Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse v Caisse populaire Desjardins d’Amquix
2. Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse v Québec (Attorney General)
3. Québec (Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse) v. Centre maraîcher Eugène Guinois JR inc. This was a complaint based on race. Each complainant was awarded $5,000 in punitive damages.