A Nova Scotia board of inquiry has dismissed a race discrimination complaint against the provincial government, finding "not a whit of evidence" that a probationary bridge maintenance worker let go over what the department called safety violations was singled out for his race, and calling him "not a credible witness."

Dwayne Emmerson started as a probationary bridge maintenance worker with the Department of Public Works on April 29, 2019 and was let go on July 12, 2019. The dismissal letter cited "repeatedly placing yourself and coworkers in unsafe situations." A union grievance was withdrawn because "the union concluded that it had little chance of success."

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On June 6, 2019 Mr. Emmerson had emailed human resources alleging a co-worker made a "jungle juice" remark that he said was explained as "for you monkeys," an instructor called him "George," and a co-worker pointed out another employee as one of his "brothers." He wrote: "I can't believe how racist this small province is." The department investigated and found no policy breach.

He filed his complaint on November 25, 2019. A board chair was appointed on September 21, 2021. The hearing ran September 15 to 18, 2025, submissions closed in November 2025, and the decision came April 17, 2026; the hearing "was unfortunately delayed for various reasons."

Mr. Emmerson represented himself, helped "to a considerable degree by Commission counsel," and called no witnesses; the department called six. The chair, Eric K. Slone, wrote: "in none of the investigations or hearings did Mr. Emmerson produce a single witness who corroborated any of his evidence." The co-worker denied the "monkeys" remark; the board did not find it proven. On "George," the board found that "if the name George was used by Mr. Creelman, it was innocent and without any racist connotations." On "brothers," the board said: "The evidence that this term was used, precisely when, and by whom, is wafer thin." The conclusion: "There is not a whit of evidence to suggest that Mr. Emmerson was being singled out because of his race or colour." On the employer: "The Department took his allegations seriously and did a diligent investigation."

Mr. Slone is a Nova Scotia lawyer, small claims court adjudicator and former Labour Relations Board vice-chair, per a Nova Scotia Labour Board biography. He was reappointed to the Commission's inquiry roster in April 2024 for five years, after a selection committee chaired by Chief Judge Perry Borden assessed candidates. He also wrote the decision, announced July 23, 2026, dismissing Sherri Borden Colley's complaint against The Source.

The ruling is the sensible one. The decision does not explain the delay. The record shows a ten-week job, a complaint with no corroborating witness, and nearly seven years before an appointed adjudicator could say so.