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.
For this reason, the Secretariat is calling on the Government of Canada to:
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.
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.
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.
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.
This represents a general opinion site for its author. It also offers a space for the author to record her experiences and perceptions,both personal and public. This is rendered obvious by the content contained in the blog, but the space is here inviting me to write. And so I do.
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