It’s a ruling that could prompt legislative changes in favour of older workers.

The province’s human rights tribunal has ruled that cutting workers of health, dental and life insurance benefits when they turn 65 is unconstitutional.

The decision is in favour of Brantford teacher Steve Talos, who challenged the Grand Erie District School Board’s decision to exclude him from their benefit plan when he turned 65.

The tribunal found that the school board decision amounted to age discrimination. Tribunal Vice-Chair Yola Grant wrote that the school board failed to recognize the contribution of older workers to its workplaces or the importance of work to older workers.

The decision means employers will no longer be able to exclude workers over 65 from their benefits plans.

In 2006, Ontario passed a law ending the ability of employers to terminate workers when they turned 65.