October 19, 1995 - Mandatory Retirement

Supreme Court Upholds mandatory retirement for police. There was no question that Stratford Ontario police officer Albert Large had to retire at the age of 60; both the police board and his union had agreed on that. But Large regarded it as age discrimination, and took his case to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, which agreed. The city appealed, only to lose at two separate Ontario court levels. However, on October 19, 1995, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled against Large, saying the policy was valid under human rights legislation. According to the top court, most police work is strenuous, requiring young, fit candidates. If the force is peopled by too many older officers – who are typically at risk for cardiovascular disease and declining aerobic capacity – it puts strain on the department, which must scramble to create less strenuous positions.

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