The Canadian Human Rights Commission has stated it has ended the mistreatment of black employees but also acknowledged that “there is a long road ahead on our anti-racism journey.”.According to Blacklock’s Reporter, critics are calling for the management team to be fired due to allegations of discrimination..“We recognize there is a long road ahead on our anti-racism journey,” Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, Interim Chief Human Rights Commissioner, wrote the Senate Human Rights committee. .The Commission had new employee survey data to “assess the progress we’ve made and the work we have yet to do.”.The letter was sent before the Senate is set to release its report about misconduct at the agency..“It is a toxic workplace,” David McNairn, president of the Association of Justice Counsel, testified May 15 at committee hearings..“If you are going to change the culture, you have to change the people at the top,” said McNairn. .“That seems to be trite, but there is truth in that.”.The Treasury Board had previously officially censured the Commission for unfairly mistreating black staff members..Nine black employees documented cases where they were denied promotions, subjected to “discriminatory practices” and “tokenized in the workplace.” No manager was fired..“Systemic discrimination runs so deep in Canada’s public service it can be found in the very branch of the government responsible for fighting it,” Chris Aylward, national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, testified on May 15. .“It was alarming to hear our members at the Canadian Human Rights Commission were also facing anti-black racism, considering the Commission’s mandate is to promote and protect human rights.”.“What’s a path forward to rebuilding trust?” asked Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard (NS). .“Certainly, it has to start at the top,” replied Aylward. .“There has to be a review of the leadership at the Commission. When I say about the Commission being overhauled, certainly the leadership has to be held accountable for this.” .Without reform “our members and the public have lost faith in the Commission’s leadership and the entire institution is weakened,” said Aylward..The Senate Human Rights committee was the only parliamentary group investigating bigotry at the Commission. Interim Commissioner Malischewski earlier said she was sorry..“The Canadian Human Rights Commission sincerely apologizes for any instances in which we fell short of our obligation whether as an employer or service provider,” Malischewski testified on May 8. .“The Commission does not tolerate racism of any kind in our workplace.”.“Employees experienced discrimination in our workplace,” said Commissioner Malischewski. She gave no examples, claiming confidentiality..Senator Mobina Jaffer (BC) pointed out no black person from the agency was asked to come and testify with Commissioner Malischewski..“We do have some senior black executives,” said Malischewski. .“But they are not here,” replied Senator Jaffer.
