We, the undersigned Canadians, call on the Government of Canada to take immediate action to resolve the class action lawsuit filed on December 1, 2020, on behalf of tens of thousands of Black federal public service employees who have faced systemic discrimination and racism at the hands of their employer—the Government of Canada.

The lawsuit addresses decades of systemic discrimination experienced by Black public servants, including barriers to promotion, lack of career advancement opportunities, and pervasive anti-Black racism. Despite several public acknowledgments of these issues, meaningful action has yet to be taken to redress the harm experienced by Black public service employees.

Canada’s Acknowledgment of Systemic Racism:

The Government of Canada has repeatedly acknowledged the presence of systemic racism within its institutions. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in June 2020:
"Systemic racism is an issue right across the country, in all our institutions, including in all our police forces, including in the RCMP."

Treasury Board President Mona Fortier echoed this in September 2022:
"The Government of Canada is actively working to address harms and create a diverse and inclusive public service free of discrimination and harassment."

Further, the Government's Budget 2023 recognized the unique challenges faced by Black public servants:
"All too often, Black public servants face barriers to career advancement and lack adequate support for the challenges they face—particularly for their mental health."

Ongoing Discrimination Despite Acknowledgments:

Despite these acknowledgments, systemic discrimination and anti-Black racism persist in Canada’s public service. Black Canadians in the public service continue to be disproportionately held in entry-level positions, facing significant barriers to career progression. Many retire in the same positions they began their careers in, a stark reflection of the pervasive discrimination that has been allowed to fester unchecked.

Government’s Failure to Act, Despite Previous Settlements:

The Black Class Action lawsuit has presented a clear opportunity for the Canadian government to demonstrate its commitment to ending systemic racism and addressing the economic and psychological harm inflicted on thousands of Black public service employees. However, instead of taking decisive action, the government has sought to dismiss the lawsuit, contradicting its own acknowledgment of the discrimination faced by Black workers.

This lack of action stands in stark contrast to the government's response to other cases of discrimination. For instance:

In less than a year after it was filed, the government settled the LGBT "Purge" case, which addressed discrimination against LGBTQ+ federal employees. The government also settled cases involving discrimination against women and pay equity, acknowledging these issues and providing redress without lengthy litigation.

Yet, in the case of Black public servants, the government continues to delay justice, even as evidence of systemic discrimination mounts.

On March 6, 2023, the government found that the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the very institution created to provide redress, was itself guilty of discriminating against Black employees and disproportionately dismissing race-based complaints.

Moreover, on March 27, 2023, Canadian unions representing over 3 million workers called on the government to settle the class action, recognizing that existing systems are inadequate to address systemic discrimination or provide the remedies sought by the class action.

An internal report released on July 29, 2024, further highlighted the extent of the problem, revealing widespread discrimination within the Privy Council Office, which serves as the secretary to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and head of the public service. 

Our Call to Action:

We call on the Government of Canada to resolve the class action lawsuit and work collaboratively with stakeholders to implement the necessary measures outlined in the lawsuit. These measures include:

1. Establishing a new designated category under the Employment Equity Act for Black Canadians to ensure proportional representation and to address the unique challenges faced by Black public servants.
2. Developing and implementing a comprehensive diversity and equity plan to ensure proportional representation of Black Canadians at all levels of government.
3. Creating a Black Equity Commission to monitor, report, and ensure accountability for anti-Black racism within the federal public service.
4. Issuing a formal apology from the Prime Minister of Canada for the historic and ongoing discrimination against Black public servants.

Why This Matters:

The time for the Government of Canada to act is now. Resolving this lawsuit is not just a matter of legal obligation; it is a moral imperative to recognize the injustices faced by Black public servants and to take meaningful action to create a truly inclusive and equitable public service.

By settling this lawsuit and implementing these measures, Canada can begin to repair the damage caused by decades of systemic racism and discrimination and demonstrate a genuine commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion for all its citizens.

We urge the Government of Canada to take immediate and decisive action to settle the Black Class Action lawsuit and work toward a fair and just resolution for all affected.

Sign this petition to demand justice and equity for Black public service employees in Canada.