$9.7M Northlands cashier wrongful dismissal, defamation civil trial gets underway in Edmonton
The lawyer for a group of former Northlands cashiers who say they were defamed and wrongfully dismissed gave her opening arguments in Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench in Edmonton on Tuesday.
The 19 parking cashiers filed a $9.7-million statement of claim alleging they were wrongfully terminated from their jobs in 2015 after being blamed for more than $1-million in missing revenue.
Their lawyer, Glenda Lee Pidde, gave her opening statement Tuesday morning, saying “this case is the worst abuse of power I have ever witnessed.”
“I simply do not understand how an employer treats them like they were treated.”
The workers are seeking aggravated and punitive damages. Their claims have yet to be proven in court.
The hearing will resume Wednesday with testimony from the former Northlands cashiers.
The lawyer for Northlands will give his opening statement later on in the scheduled 14-day hearing.
In October of 2015, Northlands fired all 38 parking cashiers following an internal investigation that found some employees were not following the proper transaction process.
The company said an audit found money was being skimmed from between 12 and 19 per cent of all transactions.
“The loss was of such significance that we needed to react quickly. And, we did,” former Northlands President and CEO Tim Reid told CTV News in an interview on Oct. 9, 2015.
Reid, who is named in the lawsuit alongside Northlands, resigned in January of 2018 after more than three years on the job. He is expected to be cross-examined during the hearing.
Proceedings began Monday but were limited to addressing administrative matters.
In 2019, the group of 19 won a ruling at the Alberta Court of Appeal allowing them to sue for both wrongful dismissal and defamation after Northlands attempted to remove the latter allegation.
Northlands shut down and ceased operations in the summer of 2021 with Explore Edmonton taking over K-Days and Farmfair International.
The non-profit organization originated in 1879 as a livestock and farm exhibition. It would later host thoroughbred horse racing as well as professional hockey at the Coliseum, with the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association and National Hockey League calling the rink home between 1974 and 2016.
The Coliseum remains standing but has been stripped of its seats after being closed on Jan. 1, 2018. The horse racing track at Northlands Park also shut down later in the same year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
One dead after potential wrong way crash on Highway 401 in Milton: OPP
One person is dead and another is in life-threatening condition after a driver was travelling in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Milton Sunday, according to police.
Hamas says latest ceasefire talks have ended. Israel vows military operation in 'very near future'
The latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks ended in Cairo after "in-depth and serious discussions,"{ the Hamas militant group said Sunday, reiterating key demands that Israel again rejected.
B.C. man wants homes for thousands of books he soon won't be able to read
In the 10 years since John William started to lose his vision, he's been finding new ways to enjoy his vast personal library.
'The Fall Guy' gives Hollywood a muted summer kickoff with a US$28.5M opening
"The Fall Guy," the Ryan Gosling-led, action-comedy ode to stunt performers, opened below expectations with US$28.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, providing a lukewarm start to a summer movie season that's very much to be determined for Hollywood.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc insists
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
William Shatner says he would consider 'Star Trek' return: 'Here comes Captain Kirk!'
The Montreal-born actor, famed for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in "Star Trek," says he is open to reprising the iconic role in the sci-fi franchise as long as the storytelling is stellar.