Accessibility commissioner resigns after suing federal government [Video]

Canada’s first accessibility commissioner has resigned during a legal battle with the federal government involving an external investigation into allegations he mistreated staff. 

The lawyer representing Michael Gottheil said the commissioner submitted his notice last week that he wished to leave his job effective Tuesday. 

“Going forward, he will do what he has done for more than 35 years, which is championing human rights, accessibility for persons with disabilities and the rule of law,” his lawyer, Peter Engelmann, told CBC News. 

Gottheil sued the federal government and unnamed staff at the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) last year for more than $2 million in damages including for constructive dismissal, defamation and breach of Charter rights. 

The government filed a statement of defence last month arguing the lawsuit should be dismissed. It alleged Gottheil’s “bullying and inflexible conduct” is mostly or entirely to blame for workplace conflict and an external investigation found his “inappropriate” behaviour ran afoul …