A former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is among Black Public Servants alleging systemic discrimination in their workplaces.
The Quebec-based former officer is among the plaintiffs in a potential class action lawsuit against the Federal Government which claims bias when it comes to hiring and promoting Black employees.
Alain Babineau (pictured) said his time in the RCMP was mired by racially-motivated discrimination, that included being asked during his first job interview what he would do if the N-word was used against him.
The proposed lawsuit, which has not yet been authorised to proceed by a Federal judge, alleges Black Public Servants were systemically denied “opportunities and benefits afforded to others based on their race”.
It further claims the Federal Government engaged in “systemic practice of Black employee exclusion” leading to “economic and psychological harm to thousands of employees”.
The current and former Public Servants are seeking $C900 million ($A945 million) in damages for the roughly 30,000 Black employees they allege were affected.
According to data from the Canada Treasury Board, only 96 of the roughly 6,000 executives in the Public Service are Black.
Mr Babineau said in his case, some of the promotions he was offered were specifically set aside for ‘visible minorities’ and he witnessed “a dog and pony show” when he attempted to bring in diverse recruits.
A Treasury Board spokesperson said no comment would be forthcoming while the claim was before the courts.
The lawsuit is also calling on the Government to implement a plan to diversify the Public Service.
Ottawa, 8 December 2020
