N.W.T. minister denies he discriminated against woman

The Northwest Territories' finance minister has denied discriminating against a transgender woman.

Michael Miltenberger took the stand this week at the Human Rights Tribunal, which is being held in Fort Smith, N.W.T.

His testimony marked the first time he has spoken publicly about the alleged incident, although he has previously denied the allegationsin written form.

The case stems from whenGov. Gen. David Johnston visited Fort Smith in 2011.

Gabrielle Landrie, a transgender woman, has claimed that Miltenberger discriminated against her in a computer lab at the local Aurora College campus.

She said Miltenberger told her to leave because she had "spooked" the Governor General.

Landrie, who has been representing herself in the case, testified on Tuesdayand questioned the minister on Wednesday.

She asked Miltenberger if he intended to discriminate against her when he used the word "spooked." The minister simply replied, "No, I did not."

In her questioning, Landrie made no mention of the smirk she alleged Miltenberger had on his face at the time, or that she felt he was disgusted by her.

Miltenberger testified that he had spoken with an RCMP officer about Landrie that day. He said the officer told him he had asked Landrie and her friend to leave the hallway, but they continued to loiter by the door of the computer lab.

Miltenberger said after he heard this, he thought he could approach Landrie and deal with the situation in a friendly way.

He said he told Landrie and her friend that the Governor General would not come down the hallway as long as they were standing there.

Miltenberger said he used the word "spooked" as a matter-a-fact interpretation of what the RCMP officer had told him.

Since both women moved from their spot in the hall after that talk, Miltenberger said he thought the encounter had gone well.

The second encounter happened when the minister returned to the computer lab. Miltenberger said the conversation was brief and Landrie's back was to him.

Miltenberger said he told Landriethat Johnston had already left and would not be seeing anyone.

The minister did not say what tone he had used when speaking to Landrie during that encounter, and Landrie did not press him on the point.

All the witnesses have now appeared at the tribunal. Closing statements will be delivered Thursday morning.