A recently released government-funded report has revealed widespread instances of harassment, intimidation, and systemic racism experienced by Black executives working in the Canadian public service. The report, authored by lawyer Rachel Zellars for the Black Executives Network, paints a troubling picture of the challenges faced by Black professionals in senior roles within federal institutions.

Drawing from interviews with 73 current and former employees, Zellars described the findings as “the most distressing” she has encountered in her career. Of the 73 participants, 63 are still employed in the public service. The report highlights experiences of career stagnation, overwhelming workloads, and, as one interviewee described, a “cesspool of racism.”

Zellars emphasized the importance of these revelations for Black public servants, noting that their stories of racial discrimination have often been dismissed as “anecdotal” or “hysterical” when raised in the past. “It is my great hope that the patterns and data revealed through these career narratives provide affirmation and recognition for career Black public servants whose narratives about racist career experiences have been long dismissed,” Zellars wrote.

A majority of the executives interviewed reported facing harassment or threats from supervisors and senior leaders. Particularly alarming is the finding that 78 percent of Black women in executive roles reported being subjected to intimidation and mistreatment. The report details incidents where executives were stripped of responsibilities, referred to with racist slurs, or had their qualifications questioned.

The toll of such pervasive racism has been severe, leading some employees to experience chronic depression, use antidepressant medications, or even attempt suicide. Among the more shocking accounts, Zellars documented one case in which a Black executive had a colleague throw a chair at them, threaten physical violence, and use a racial slur.

In response to the findings, Treasury Board spokesperson Myah Tomasi stated that all employees have the right to a work environment free from discrimination. “It is my expectation that Treasury Board officials and deputy heads take immediate steps to address the troubling findings and implement the recommendations from the report,” Tomasi wrote. She also praised the employees who came forward, acknowledging the “painful” nature of their experiences.

The report’s release comes at a critical moment, coinciding with a Federal Court hearing that will determine whether a class-action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the federal government can proceed. The case, which involves over 45,000 Black public servants who have worked for the government since 1970, seeks $2.5 billion in damages for lost salaries and pensions. The plaintiffs claim that racism has been endemic within government institutions, with previous reports documenting discrimination at the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Privy Council Office.

As the certification hearing for the class-action lawsuit continues, it remains uncertain whether the judge will immediately include Zellars’ report as evidence. However, the plaintiffs hope that it will strengthen their case for systemic reform and accountability in Canada’s public service.

This report serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of racism in the workplace and calls for urgent action to address the inequities facing Black executives and other racialized employees in federal institutions.