Federal Court dismisses $2.5B racism lawsuit by Black Canadians

A Federal Court judge has dismissed a proposed class-action lawsuit by Black public servants who claimed systemic racism in the public service. The case, filed in 2020, sought $2.5 billion in damages for lost wages and promotions. Justice Jocelyne Gagné ruled that the lawsuit did not meet the requirements for a class action. She stated the claims did not raise common issues and that the scope made it unsuitable for class procedures. The court noted that there are other ongoing class actions about racial discrimination in individual federal departments, which significantly overlap with this case. The Black Class Action Secretariat, which supported the lawsuit, expressed disappointment but vowed to continue the fight for justice. The group highlighted that systemic anti-Black racism has been acknowledged by the federal government. They plan to meet with their legal team to consider their next steps. In 2023, a ruling found that the Canadian Human Rights Commission discriminated against its Black and racialized employees. Additionally, a report from 2024 stated that public servants at the Privy Council faced racial stereotyping and verbal abuse. Nicholas Marcus Thompson, leader of the Black Class Action Secretariat, criticized the government's response. He claimed it used procedural tactics to avoid discussing the merits of the case. The federal government has spent around $10 million in its efforts to challenge the lawsuit.