PSAC has filed a sweeping human rights complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission on behalf of all Black PSAC members employed in the federal public service. The complaint challenges decades of systemic discrimination, racist comments, microaggressions, and policies and practices that have unjustly blocked Black workers from career advancement. 

“For decades, Black federal public service workers have endured racism at work, been shut out of job opportunities, and denied the safe workplace they deserve,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “Instead of fixing the problem, the government fought Black workers in court hoping it would all just go away. We won’t back down until the government is held accountable and our members get the justice they deserve.” 

The complaint details the federal government’s longstanding failure to address anti-Black racism in its workplaces, including: 

• Racist comments, microaggressions and discriminatory behaviour; 
• Heightened scrutiny and disproportionate discipline; 
• Dismissal or downplaying of discrimination and harassment complaints; 
• Barriers to hiring and promotion; 
• Unequal access to training, mentorship, and career development; 
• A failure to address anti-Black racism and bias in staffing processes. 

This filing follows the recent dismissal of the Black Class Action lawsuit, which the federal government fought vehemently against to deny its certification despite its own admission that systemic anti-Black racism exists in its workplace and across Canada. PSAC backed the legal action by providing financial and legal support and publicly advocating for the government to settle the case. 

The federal government has spent more than $10 million in legal costs to prevent the certification of the Black Class Action lawsuit. 

Through PSAC’s litigation, the union will seek systemic remedies to eliminate anti-Black racism in federal workplaces as well as damages to make members whole for the harm they have experienced. PSAC is calling for meaningful changes to hiring and promotion policies and practices, stronger accountability measures, and an end to the discriminatory practices that have harmed generations of Black federal public service workers and their families. 

“Black workers have suffered economic and psychological harm for decades — and they deserve real, lasting change,” added DeSousa. “It’s time for the government to own up to their mistakes and fix what’s clearly broken.” 

As Canada’s largest federal public service union and the bargaining agent for over 245,000 workers across the country, including 185,000 federal public service workers, PSAC is uniquely positioned to identify and challenge discriminatory practices affecting Black federal workers. This complaint is a critical step in the fight for justice and part of the union’s broader commitment to confronting anti-Black racism in and out of the workplace.