Landmark win for bullying victim
A former North Vancouver high school student who was subjected to homophobic bullying has won his fight against the school district in a case that was appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Azmi Jubran, 24, says he was teased and tormented for five years at Handsworth Secondary – and the school district did nothing to stop it.
Three years ago, Jubran won a B.C. Human Rights tribunal case that awarded him $4,000 in damages from the school district.
The school board then appealed to the courts. The B.C. Supreme Court overturned the tribunal's decision, on the grounds that Jubran is not gay.
Jubran then appealed to the B.C. Court of Appeal which upheld the original decision in his favour.
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The school district appealed for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, but the country's highest court has now refused to hear the case.
Jubran says it's a victory for all students who face bullying in school. He says his fight been an emotional roller-coaster, but says it was worth it because no one ever apologized.
The North Vancouver School District had argued that it shouldn't be held legally responsible for the behavior of its students.