PSAC is celebrating an important milestone in our human rights complaints on behalf of Black federal public service workers. The Canada Human Rights Commission (CHRC) has referred PSAC’s complaints on systemic anti-Black racism in the federal public service to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for a full inquiry.

This decision means there will be a public and independent process to examine decades of reported discrimination in hiring, promotions, discipline, and harassment affecting Black workers. 

“This is an important step toward justice for Black federal public service workers who have been fighting racism at work for generations,” said PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa. “We will keep pushing until the government is held accountable and our members see real change.”  

CHRC’s decision comes after years of organizing by Black workers, including critical work done by the Black Class Action lawsuit, led by PSAC members, that exposed the depth of anti-Black racism in federal workplaces and showed the urgent need for systemic change. Our human rights complaints were filed immediately following the Federal Court’s dismissal of the lawsuit.

PSAC continues to push the government to address the same patterns of discrimination raised by Black Class Action members across all deparments and agencies, including finally implementing the recommendations of the Employment Equity Act Review Task Force which includes making Black workers a distinct equity group. 

This decision moves the case forward to a public hearing where findings can be brought to light, remedies ordered, and real change can be made across the federal public service.

For Black PSAC members, this is welcome news to wrap up Black History Month. It means they are one step closer towards proper recognition for the harm they've faced and to fixing hiring practices, fighting anti-Black racism, and building safer, fairer workplaces for the next generation.