Brooks v Canada Safeway Ltd

1219 is a leading Supreme Court of Canada decision on employer discrimination of pregnant employees.

The court found that Safeway violated the provincial Human Rights Act by failing to provide equal compensation for those who missed work due to pregnancy.

This decision overturned the controversial case of Bliss v. Attorney General of Canada, [1979].

The Safeway insurance plan that provided benefits for loss of pay due to accident or sickness did not give full benefits for 17 weeks for those who were unable to work due to pregnancy.

The court held unanimously that the insurance policy was discriminating against pregnant women.