The former chief of the Alberta Human Rights Commission filed a $2.12 million lawsuit against Justice Minister Tyler Shandro alleging wrongful dismissal and “malicious treatment.”.Collin May’s five-year appointment, which he officially began in July, was rescinded September 15 after he refused to resign..May is seeking $1.2 million in damages for his contract being breached early, a public declaration that he was wrongfully terminated, costs of the lawsuit, and another $1 million for moral and punitive damages, according to the statement of claim obtained by CTV..The statement alleges Shandro’s office wrongfully terminated May without offering a reason “and to date, no reason has been given to him.”.May was asked to resign on the heels of a letter from the National Council of Canadian Muslims, signed by 28 Muslim organizations, demanding he do so because of book review he wrote in C2C Journal 13 years ago..May wrote that Israeli-British historian Efraim Karsh’s book, 'Islamic Imperialism: A History.' challenged the view Islam is a peaceful religion misused by a minority of terrorists..“Rather, it is one of the most militaristic religions known to man, and it is precisely this militaristic heritage that informs the actions of radicals throughout the Muslim world,” wrote May to explain Karsh’s views..Meanwhile, May alleges in the lawsuit the AHRC was a “poisoned work environment” and that Shandro’s office interfered..“It was clear from his first day on the job the plaintiff had been set up to fail,” alleged the statement of claim. .It also alleges May suffered “significant mental and physical stress due to the unconscionable, malicious, and vicious actions and inactions taken by the defendant.”.None of the claims have been proven in court.
