The Equality Sanctimony of Canada's Liberal Government

"If the government has moved an employee from an organization that was deemed to be discriminatory to now an even bigger organization to address anti-racism, it's not only hypocritical, but it's a farce. There's zero credibility in this type of leadership."

"We have this vicious cycle within the federal public service where there's no accountability -- wrong-doers are often either transferred when it comes to discrimination or promoted."

"This appointment is completely counter to the government's promise and commitment to create a diverse and inclusive workspace that is free from discrimination and harassment."

Nicholas Marcus Thompson, executive director,  Black Class Action Secretariat (BCAS)

 

"Employees report being harassed and facing retaliation from Ms. [Melanie] Mohammed after speaking up."

"Therefore, it is completely unacceptable for the Government of Canada to appoint this individual as director general of anti-racism for the entire government."

Black Class Action Secretariat statement

 

"We remain committed to improving the experiences of Black public servants, but while progress is being made, we know there is still more to do to make our workplaces inclusive and equitable for all equity-seeking employees."

"[The Department is taking BCAS' statement] very seriously [and is looking into the organization's concerns]."

Dominique Collin, spokesperson, Canadian Heritage 

Bernadeth Betchi, who was a policy advisor at the Canadian Human Rights Commission, describes it as a toxic and poisonous workplace. (David Thurton/CBC)

 

The Black Class Action Secretariat was formed for the purpose of working toward the elimination of systemic discrimination inside Canada's public service. It is at the present time consumed with concern that the Department of Canadian Heritage has brought on board a former leadership member at the Canadian Human Rights Commission. That the woman, Melanie Mohammed was appointed to this sensitive human rights role is beyond disturbing to the BCAS.

The Canadian Human Rights commission was recently found to have discriminated against its own employees who are Black and racialized workers. Treasury Board had ruled that the Canadian Human Rights Commission whose mandate is to deal with discrimination complaints, had breached the "no discrimination" clause of a collective agreement between Treasury Board and the Association of Justice counsel, the bargaining agent for 2,600 lawyers the government employs.

The appointment of Ms. Mohammed who had been the CHRC's chief of staff is seen to be "disturbing" and "reckless", in the words of BCAS executive director Nicholas Marcus Thompson. A message is being sent to Canadians of no accountability or consequences for discrimination, he points out. And well he might, while overlooking the role model for all of Canada, a prime minister who infamously labels Canada a 'racist' country, yet shrugging impartially when he was himself found to have indulged in Black mimicry through infamously repeatedly wearing Blackface.

The director general of multiculturalism and anti-racism's role is fairly obvious; not only to provide funding to organizations led by Black and racialized people, but as well to address the issues of racism and hate through federal multiculturalism and anti-racism strategies. Which would include Canada's Anti-Raacsm Strategy and the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat.

Representing the views of the Black Class Action Secretariat, its executive director spoke to the Senate with respect to anti-Black racism, sexism and systemic distribution in the Canadian Human Rights Council and above all his concerns relating to the lack of accountability within the government. The BCAS called on the government to rescind Ms. Mohammed's appointment and to issue an apology. This government has an uncanny penchant for appointing the wrong people to the most sensitive positions, from governor general to human rights appointments.

Julie Payette, a workplace-abusive elitist who spurned most of the activities common to the position of British royalty's representative in Canada as a Commonwealth country, to contracting with a rabid racist and antisemite to give lessons on human rights and racism to government groups. Situations that were allowed to fester, and which were only addressed when they became so egregiously dysfunctional they slopped over into the public sphere through newspaper exposes.

 

The Treasury Board Secretariat's March 6 ruling said the Canadian Human Rights Commission had breached the “no discrimination” clause of a collective agreement between Treasury Board and the Association of Justice Counsel. Photo by Vladstudioraw /GETTY IMAGES / ISTOCK PHOTO

For this reason, the Secretariat is calling on the Government of Canada to:

1. Rescind the appointment immediately of the new Director General, Melanie Mohammed, to lead the Anti-Racism and Multiculturalism Program at Canadian Heritage, and issue an apology.

2. Appoint a person with no connection to the leadership of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and who has demonstrated an understanding of systemic anti-Black racism.

3. Rescind the appointment of Melanie Mohammed from the Federal Executive Leadership Development Program as she has failed to uphold the public service’s values and ethics standards.

4. Mandate senior executives of the Department of Heritage, including Associate Deputy Minister Mala Khanna who appointed Ms. Mohammed, to undergo anti-Black racism training and to meet with Black employees and address their concerns on anti-Black racism within the department.