A central government agency has found discrimination against workers within a Canadian institution specifically designed to root it out.

The Treasury Board Secretariat found last week that the Canadian Human Rights Commission, whose mandate is to protect the core principle of equal opportunity, discriminated against Black and racialized employees.

A decision dated March 6, obtained by The Canadian Press, says the commission breached the B次元官网网址渘o discriminationB次元官网网址� clause in its collective agreement with three major public service unions.

B次元官网网址淚 encourage the parties to engage in mediation to seek a meaningful resolution to the issues outlined in this policy grievance,B次元官网网址� Carole Bidal, an associate assistant deputy minister at the agency, said in her decision.

B次元官网网址淎s federal institutions, we seek to create a workplace that is diverse and inclusive, and where every public servant can make the best possible contribution to serving Canadians.B次元官网网址�

The Association of Justice Counsel said in a statement that the decision is B次元官网网址渁n important win,B次元官网网址� and one that will have consequences across the federal public service.

The union, which represents government lawyers, had filed a formal grievance in 2020, in tandem with the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Canadian Association of Professional Employees.

The grievances alleged that B次元官网网址減olicies, procedures, practices and attitudesB次元官网网址� had a negative impact on Black and racialized people and were B次元官网网址渂arriers to their advancement, health, safety and overall well-being.B次元官网网址�

In a press release, the lawyers union said it was dissatisfied with the commissionB次元官网网址檚 response when employees told management about their experiences after the commission made a public statement supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

B次元官网网址淲e attempted to work with the commission to help improve the workplace and help the commission regain the trust of its racialized and Black employees,B次元官网网址� the justice counsel association said in a press release on Thursday.

But the commission responded by B次元官网网址渃onducting a unilateral, non-inclusive investigative process involving outside parties without fully consulting with employees or their bargaining agents,B次元官网网址� it said.

B次元官网网址淩acism has absolutely no place in our institutions,B次元官网网址� Justice Minister David Lametti said in a statement, adding that the information arising out of the grievance is B次元官网网址渂oth concerning and disappointing, not least because of the institution involved.B次元官网网址�

Lametti noted that the chief commissionerB次元官网网址檚 position is currently vacant and said B次元官网网址渨e are working to appoint new leadership.B次元官网网址�

He said he had a B次元官网网址渇rank conversationB次元官网网址� with the current leadership to discuss the steps the institution is taking to address the issue.

The commission said in an email Thursday night that it has an updated action plan to deal with the effects of societal systemic racism and discrimination as an employer, service provider and regulator, and human rights advocate.

B次元官网网址淎s an employer, we are committed to creating an open, healthy, safe and inclusive workplace that has at its core the principles of anti-racism and equity,B次元官网网址� the commission said.

B次元官网网址淲e value and respect the diversity of our commissioners, leadership and staff. We are mindful of the various historic and structural inequities that have created societal barriers for Indigenous, Black and other Racialized people.

B次元官网网址淲e are committed to ensuring that anti-racism and equity measures continue to promote full participation of our diverse staff.B次元官网网址�

BidalB次元官网网址檚 decision said that the commission had already taken B次元官网网址減roactive steps to address these matters,B次元官网网址� and had indicated an interest in engaging with bargaining agents and employees to find a solution. It did not detail what steps the commission has taken.

The lawyers union said Thursday that in light of the Treasury BoardB次元官网网址檚 decision, it hopes the commissionB次元官网网址檚 leadership will now join the calls for a formal audit. It had written to parliamentarians and the federal auditor general with such a request in 2021.

B次元官网网址淚f the CHRC is to maintain the trust and confidence of Canadians to protect them from systemic racism, then it must first look inwards and reform its internal practices,B次元官网网址� the unionB次元官网网址檚 press release said.

The union added that following the Treasury Board decision, it is B次元官网网址渃onsidering its optionsB次元官网网址� in consultation with its members and sister bargaining agents.

The Treasury Board Secretariat said in a statement that it is B次元官网网址渃ommitted to ensuring access to a robust grievance process that addresses issues as they arise.B次元官网网址�

It said it B次元官网网址渞emains available, at the request of the parties, to support the parties as they continue to work towards achieving a harassment- and discrimination-free workplace.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址擬arie-Danielle Smith, The Canadian Press