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 91裸聊视频渘o discrimination91裸聊视频� clause in its collective agreement with three major public service unions.

91裸聊视频淚 encourage the parties to engage in mediation to seek a meaningful resolution to the issues outlined in this policy grievance,91裸聊视频� Carole Bidal, an associate assistant deputy minister at the agency, said in her decision.

91裸聊视频淎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.91裸聊视频�

The Association of Justice Counsel said in a statement that the decision is 91裸聊视频渁n important win,91裸聊视频� 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 91裸聊视频減olicies, procedures, practices and attitudes91裸聊视频� had a negative impact on Black and racialized people and were 91裸聊视频渂arriers to their advancement, health, safety and overall well-being.91裸聊视频�

In a press release, the lawyers union said it was dissatisfied with the commission91裸聊视频檚 response when employees told management about their experiences after the commission made a public statement supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

91裸聊视频淲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,91裸聊视频� the justice counsel association said in a press release on Thursday.

But the commission responded by 91裸聊视频渃onducting a unilateral, non-inclusive investigative process involving outside parties without fully consulting with employees or their bargaining agents,91裸聊视频� it said.

91裸聊视频淩acism has absolutely no place in our institutions,91裸聊视频� Justice Minister David Lametti said in a statement, adding that the information arising out of the grievance is 91裸聊视频渂oth concerning and disappointing, not least because of the institution involved.91裸聊视频�

Lametti noted that the chief commissioner91裸聊视频檚 position is currently vacant and said 91裸聊视频渨e are working to appoint new leadership.91裸聊视频�

He said he had a 91裸聊视频渇rank conversation91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淎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,91裸聊视频� the commission said.

91裸聊视频淲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.

91裸聊视频淲e are committed to ensuring that anti-racism and equity measures continue to promote full participation of our diverse staff.91裸聊视频�

Bidal91裸聊视频檚 decision said that the commission had already taken 91裸聊视频減roactive steps to address these matters,91裸聊视频� 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 Board91裸聊视频檚 decision, it hopes the commission91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淚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,91裸聊视频� the union91裸聊视频檚 press release said.

The union added that following the Treasury Board decision, it is 91裸聊视频渃onsidering its options91裸聊视频� in consultation with its members and sister bargaining agents.

The Treasury Board Secretariat said in a statement that it is 91裸聊视频渃ommitted to ensuring access to a robust grievance process that addresses issues as they arise.91裸聊视频�

It said it 91裸聊视频渞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.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频擬arie-Danielle Smith, The Canadian Press