A British Columbia human rights case that centred on faith-based treatment a man received at Guelph's Homewood Health Centre has concluded.
Byron Wood, a nurse from Vancouver employed by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH), was sent to the Homewood for treatment in 2014.
An atheist, he objected to the religious elements of 12-step approach to some of the treatment he received, namely Alcoholics Anonymous, during his five-week stay at the facility.
He filed a human rights complaint in BC.
Wood told GuelphToday that he reached a settlement agreement with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
That agreement limits what he can say about the agreement but can say that:
(a) The Complaint has been resolved to my satisfaction through a negotiated settlement;
(b) VCH has confirmed that employees who object to 12-step approaches to treatment have a way of meaningfully registering their objection with their employer; and
(c) VCH has confirmed that its employees are not required to attend or participate in the 12-step approach to treatment if that approach to treatment conflicts with their religious or non-religious beliefs.
"The rest of the details are confidential," Wood said.
He said he plans on applying to have his nursing licence reinstated and finding a new job in the nursing field.
Wood had contended that he was forced into Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12-step program by his employer and union, against his atheistic beliefs.
According to media reports, The VCH, the British Columbia Nurses Union, and the College of Registered Nurses of B.C. all deny they were made aware of Wood's religious concerns prior to ordering his treatment.
He said one of the conditions placed upon his returning to work was that he stay in AA. When he didn't, he lost his job.
Byron told GuelphToday in 2016 that as an atheist he is against the emphasis on a high power or God in the methodology of both AA and the 12-step program. His atheistic beliefs, he said, were not respected during his involvement in the programs at Homewood.
In 2016 an official at Homewood said the facility, which is known internationally, uses AA and the 12-steps, but that the programs are not necessarily God-centred.
The Homewood's Dr. Harry Vedelago told GuelphToday in 2016 that AA and the 12-step program are not religious organizations and defended AA as a successful treatment program, and said there is a distinction between it and 12-steps.
“There is a treatment called 12-step facilitation, and it has been shown to be a validated treatment modality,” Vedelago said in 2016. “Many places use that, in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing. That’s what we do here.”
He said the chances of maintaining sobriety are “greatly enhanced” if the person is involved in a self-help group.
“Traditionally, it has been Alcoholics Anonymous, and Cocaine Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous,” he said. “Of course, this is what most treatment centres will say that people have to attend.”
