Racism and Discrimination Pervasive at Privy Council Office, Internal Report Finds

Racism and Discrimination Pervade the Privy Council Office, Internal Report Reveals

A disturbing internal report released by the federal public service paints a grim picture of racism and discrimination faced by Black and racialized employees within the Privy Council Office (PCO). The report, obtained through the Access to Information Act by the Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination, details numerous instances of racial stereotyping, microaggressions, and verbal violence experienced by employees of color.

The report, based on group discussions and interviews conducted in 2021 and 2022, reveals a workplace culture where such behavior is normalized, even at the executive level. Black employees report being passed over for opportunities given to white colleagues, and even having to intervene with managers who used the N-word comfortably in their presence. Shockingly, some managers expressed surprise that the N-word is considered a highly offensive term for Black people.

The report also highlights a stark disparity in career progression between white and Black employees. White employees, clustered in permanent and higher-level positions, enjoy longer tenures and career-advancing opportunities not available to their Black counterparts. Non-Black employees of color also report witnessing anti-Black discrimination from managers and employees, directly impacting the careers of Black colleagues.

The report paints a picture of a pervasive "culture of whiteness" at the executive levels, where a clear preference for white employees is evident. This manifests in career stagnation for Black employees, who consistently receive high performance reviews yet see white colleagues who trained with them advance above their level. The report notes that discussions of these experiences often brought employees to tears, highlighting the emotional toll of racism in the workplace.

Adding insult to injury, the report reveals that Black employees are discouraged from participating in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. When DEI sessions are held, they are often described as low-quality and inappropriate, with one session on diversity and communication led by an all-white team.

The release of this report comes as the government faces an ongoing class-action lawsuit alleging that around 30,000 Black civil servants have been denied opportunities and benefits due to their race since the 1970s. While the government has attempted to implement some of the report's recommendations, the Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination believes these efforts fall short of addressing the disturbing findings.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland acknowledged the report and stated that racism and discrimination are unacceptable anywhere, especially within the government. However, the report's findings raise serious questions about the government's commitment to creating a truly equitable and inclusive workplace for all employees.