Former Alberta NDP volunteer files human rights complaint against party

The former head of the Alberta New Democrats' membership organization for people with disabilities has filed a human rights complaint against the party for discrimination. 

Justin Reinke, the former co-chair of the NDP's disability caucus, is alleging he was discriminated against and wrongfully dismissed from his role in retaliation for speaking out against mistreatment. 

But in a statement Friday, the NDP pushed back, saying Reinke behaved aggressively with his fellow members, which led to his removal.

CBC News has obtained a copy of the human rights complaint and supporting documentation filed on Tuesday, less than a week before Alberta's election.

Reinke alleges he witnessed and was subject to discrimination against disabled NDP members, as well as abuse of volunteers and staff by more senior members of the party. 

This included a provincial council meeting last June, where he says a member in a wheelchair was wheeled out of the way without consent, jeering from the audience at disabled members during policy debate and the party failing to make accessibility supports available. The complaint says the washrooms were too small for a power chair and there were no closed captioning services for some sessions.

"There is an immense amount of ableism in the ANDP," Reinke told the executive in an August report asking for the alleged discrimination to be addressed.

His complaint says he advocated for the resolution of these issues and allegations of bullying internally but was ignored. Reinke was removed shortly after from his role (a volunteer, elected position), which he alleges was retaliation for speaking up about his concerns.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and the Alberta Human Rights Commission's confidentiality process means it's unable to say whether the matter would be accepted and brought to a hearing. The Alberta Human Rights Act protects people from discrimination, including those with a physical or mental disability.

In a statement, the NDP said there had been six counter-complaints about Reinke's conduct, including "violent threats" against volunteers and staff. They added that an investigation found he violated the party's anti-harassment policy, and his membership was suspended. The current disability caucus also expressed that they'd had concerning incidents with Reinke, which they'd confronted him about. 

"Those allegations are completely fabricated," said Kathryn Marshall, Reinke's lawyer and a partner with Levitt Sheikh LLP, calling it a campaign of intimidation and retaliation. 

"None of this was raised at the time he was removed as co-chair."

Reinke's August report to the party executive asked them to take action against the "vile and shameful behaviour of multiple delegates against delegates with disabilities." 

"I would expect that behaviour from zoo animals. Make no mistake, these are serious violations of the human rights of disabled people," he wrote. He sent several emails over the course of the summer with very strong language and accusations to the executive, which CBC News has obtained.