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 香蕉视频直播渘o discrimination香蕉视频直播� clause in its collective agreement with three major public service unions.

香蕉视频直播淚 encourage the parties to engage in mediation to seek a meaningful resolution to the issues outlined in this policy grievance,香蕉视频直播� Carole Bidal, an associate assistant deputy minister at the agency, said in her decision.

香蕉视频直播淎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.香蕉视频直播�

The Association of Justice Counsel said in a statement that the decision is 香蕉视频直播渁n important win,香蕉视频直播� 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 香蕉视频直播減olicies, procedures, practices and attitudes香蕉视频直播� had a negative impact on Black and racialized people and were 香蕉视频直播渂arriers to their advancement, health, safety and overall well-being.香蕉视频直播�

In a press release, the lawyers union said it was dissatisfied with the commission香蕉视频直播檚 response when employees told management about their experiences after the commission made a public statement supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

香蕉视频直播淲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,香蕉视频直播� the justice counsel association said in a press release on Thursday.

But the commission responded by 香蕉视频直播渃onducting a unilateral, non-inclusive investigative process involving outside parties without fully consulting with employees or their bargaining agents,香蕉视频直播� it said.

香蕉视频直播淩acism has absolutely no place in our institutions,香蕉视频直播� Justice Minister David Lametti said in a statement, adding that the information arising out of the grievance is 香蕉视频直播渂oth concerning and disappointing, not least because of the institution involved.香蕉视频直播�

Lametti noted that the chief commissioner香蕉视频直播檚 position is currently vacant and said 香蕉视频直播渨e are working to appoint new leadership.香蕉视频直播�

He said he had a 香蕉视频直播渇rank conversation香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淎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,香蕉视频直播� the commission said.

香蕉视频直播淲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.

香蕉视频直播淲e are committed to ensuring that anti-racism and equity measures continue to promote full participation of our diverse staff.香蕉视频直播�

Bidal香蕉视频直播檚 decision said that the commission had already taken 香蕉视频直播減roactive steps to address these matters,香蕉视频直播� 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 Board香蕉视频直播檚 decision, it hopes the commission香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淚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,香蕉视频直播� the union香蕉视频直播檚 press release said.

The union added that following the Treasury Board decision, it is 香蕉视频直播渃onsidering its options香蕉视频直播� in consultation with its members and sister bargaining agents.

The Treasury Board Secretariat said in a statement that it is 香蕉视频直播渃ommitted to ensuring access to a robust grievance process that addresses issues as they arise.香蕉视频直播�

It said it 香蕉视频直播渞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.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播擬arie-Danielle Smith, The Canadian Press