A central government agency has found discrimination against workers within a Canadian institution specifically designed to root it out.

The Treasury Board Secretariat found last week that the Canadian Human Rights Commission, whose mandate is to protect the core principle of equal opportunity, discriminated against Black and racialized employees.

A decision dated March 6, obtained by The Canadian Press, says the commission breached the 害羞草研究所渘o discrimination害羞草研究所� clause in its collective agreement with three major public service unions.

害羞草研究所淚 encourage the parties to engage in mediation to seek a meaningful resolution to the issues outlined in this policy grievance,害羞草研究所� Carole Bidal, an associate assistant deputy minister at the agency, said in her decision.

害羞草研究所淎s federal institutions, we seek to create a workplace that is diverse and inclusive, and where every public servant can make the best possible contribution to serving Canadians.害羞草研究所�

The Association of Justice Counsel said in a statement that the decision is 害羞草研究所渁n important win,害羞草研究所� and one that will have consequences across the federal public service.

The union, which represents government lawyers, had filed a formal grievance in 2020, in tandem with the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Canadian Association of Professional Employees.

The grievances alleged that 害羞草研究所減olicies, procedures, practices and attitudes害羞草研究所� had a negative impact on Black and racialized people and were 害羞草研究所渂arriers to their advancement, health, safety and overall well-being.害羞草研究所�

In a press release, the lawyers union said it was dissatisfied with the commission害羞草研究所檚 response when employees told management about their experiences after the commission made a public statement supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

害羞草研究所淲e attempted to work with the commission to help improve the workplace and help the commission regain the trust of its racialized and Black employees,害羞草研究所� the justice counsel association said in a press release on Thursday.

But the commission responded by 害羞草研究所渃onducting a unilateral, non-inclusive investigative process involving outside parties without fully consulting with employees or their bargaining agents,害羞草研究所� it said.

害羞草研究所淩acism has absolutely no place in our institutions,害羞草研究所� Justice Minister David Lametti said in a statement, adding that the information arising out of the grievance is 害羞草研究所渂oth concerning and disappointing, not least because of the institution involved.害羞草研究所�

Lametti noted that the chief commissioner害羞草研究所檚 position is currently vacant and said 害羞草研究所渨e are working to appoint new leadership.害羞草研究所�

He said he had a 害羞草研究所渇rank conversation害羞草研究所� with the current leadership to discuss the steps the institution is taking to address the issue.

The commission said in an email Thursday night that it has an updated action plan to deal with the effects of societal systemic racism and discrimination as an employer, service provider and regulator, and human rights advocate.

害羞草研究所淎s an employer, we are committed to creating an open, healthy, safe and inclusive workplace that has at its core the principles of anti-racism and equity,害羞草研究所� the commission said.

害羞草研究所淲e value and respect the diversity of our commissioners, leadership and staff. We are mindful of the various historic and structural inequities that have created societal barriers for Indigenous, Black and other Racialized people.

害羞草研究所淲e are committed to ensuring that anti-racism and equity measures continue to promote full participation of our diverse staff.害羞草研究所�

Bidal害羞草研究所檚 decision said that the commission had already taken 害羞草研究所減roactive steps to address these matters,害羞草研究所� and had indicated an interest in engaging with bargaining agents and employees to find a solution. It did not detail what steps the commission has taken.

The lawyers union said Thursday that in light of the Treasury Board害羞草研究所檚 decision, it hopes the commission害羞草研究所檚 leadership will now join the calls for a formal audit. It had written to parliamentarians and the federal auditor general with such a request in 2021.

害羞草研究所淚f the CHRC is to maintain the trust and confidence of Canadians to protect them from systemic racism, then it must first look inwards and reform its internal practices,害羞草研究所� the union害羞草研究所檚 press release said.

The union added that following the Treasury Board decision, it is 害羞草研究所渃onsidering its options害羞草研究所� in consultation with its members and sister bargaining agents.

The Treasury Board Secretariat said in a statement that it is 害羞草研究所渃ommitted to ensuring access to a robust grievance process that addresses issues as they arise.害羞草研究所�

It said it 害羞草研究所渞emains available, at the request of the parties, to support the parties as they continue to work towards achieving a harassment- and discrimination-free workplace.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所擬arie-Danielle Smith, The Canadian Press