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For Immediate Release
Toronto - October 25, 2024. The Black Class Action certification hearing on Monday is a historic moment in Canada's legal and social landscape. The government itself has acknowledged that this is the largest, broadest, and most high-profile employment-related discrimination case in Canadian history. This case addresses systemic anti-Black discrimination in the federal public service, the largest employer in the country, which has persisted for decades.
At its core, this lawsuit is about seeking justice for thousands of Black workers who have been denied fair opportunities in hiring and promotions due to systemic racism. It is not only about financial compensation but also about holding the government accountable and building a more equitable public service. The significance of this case goes beyond individual plaintiffs—this is about creating institutional reform so that future generations of Black Canadians do not face the same barriers in employment.
We are here for Canada, to build Canada. Our fight is not just for ourselves but for the country as a whole. This is why we have presented a Black Action Plan, a mental health program, and sought alternative dispute resolution in the court. This week, we offered a settlement to the government, which includes a request for them to consent to certification of the class action.
Canada has admitted to the pain and suffering systemic discrimination has caused Black people. Yet, the government continues to bring technical arguments, trying to individualize the experiences of thousands of workers rather than addressing the system that has failed them. This week, we offered a settlement to the government, which includes a request for them to consent to certification of the class action, in the hopes of ending this four year long fight that has cost taxpayers imllions.
This fight is for Canada—a better, more just, and inclusive Canada for all its citizens.
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