SK -- Effective November 17, 2007 workers will can no longer be forced into retirement when they reach the age of 65 as ammendments to the Human Rights Code expand the definition of age in the Code to include persons over 65 years.

Currently the Code defines "age" as "any age of 18 years or more but less than 65 years". The ammendment will strike out the words "but less than 65 years", expanding protection against age discrimation to citizens who are 65 and older.

As a result, employers will no longer be able to require employees to quit working simply because they have reached a certain age and collective agreements will not be able to specify a retirement age.

"This legislation recognizes that our older citizens can continue to make meaningful contributions in the work force," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said. "It also responds to the demographic reality, in this province and others, that we are an aging population that can benefit from having persons with experience, expertise and judgment continuing to work."

However, the exemption that currently allows employers to make distinctions on grounds such as age because of a job's nature and those related to public safety, such as being fit to be a police officer, will remain in effect.

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