A groundbreaking new report has shed light on the pervasive racism faced by Black executives within the Canadian public service, detailing shocking accounts of harassment, discrimination, and career stagnation. The government-funded study, authored by lawyer Rachel Zellars, paints a stark picture of systemic abuse that has plagued Black public servants for decades.

The report, commissioned by the Black Executives Network, is based on interviews with 73 individuals, 63 of whom are current employees in the federal public service. Zellars described the testimonies she gathered as the “most distressing” she has ever encountered, with participants recounting experiences of intimidation, racial slurs, and overt hostility from colleagues and superiors.

“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 as anecdotal or hysterical when they have reported anti-Black abuse,” Zellars wrote in the report.

A significant number of those interviewed—particularly Black women—reported facing harassment and intimidation that not only impacted their professional lives but also their mental health. In fact, 78% of Black women executives interviewed said they had endured harassment or intimidation in the workplace, with many suffering from chronic depression and even suicidal thoughts as a result.

Executives detailed incidents of being stripped of their duties, having their qualifications and abilities openly questioned, and being subjected to racialized comments or stereotypes. Some recounted violent threats, including one case where a colleague physically threw a chair at a Black executive while hurling racial slurs.

The report has sparked a strong reaction from government officials. In a statement, Treasury Board spokesperson Myah Tomasi expressed concern, acknowledging that discrimination has been a long-standing issue in many workplaces.

“We are immensely grateful to the courageous employees who have come forward to share their experiences, as painful as they may be,” Tomasi said. She further emphasized the need for swift action to address the findings, urging Treasury Board officials and departmental heads to work with the Black Executives Network to implement the report’s recommendations.

The release of Zellars’ report comes at a critical moment, coinciding with a Federal Court hearing to determine whether Black public servants can move forward with a class-action lawsuit against the federal government for racial discrimination. The lawsuit, which includes 45,000 plaintiffs, seeks $2.5 billion in damages for lost wages and pensions, claiming widespread systemic racism within the public service.

Gerard Etienne, a former public service executive and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, has called for stronger measures to address the issue. He proposed the creation of a Black equity commissioner, who would report directly to the public and the government on the progress of anti-racism initiatives within the federal public service.

“If we recognize that racism is endemic in our society, then by means of definition, it is also endemic within the federal public service,” Etienne said. “And if it is, why not create a commission of antiracism?”

Zellars’ report supports this call for greater accountability, recommending the establishment of such a commissioner, as well as enhanced cultural competency training, targeted hiring and retention programs for Black executives, and stronger policies to prevent workplace violence and harassment.

A Senate report released last December, which focused on anti-Black racism within the Canadian Human Rights Commission, found that the commission was failing to address complaints in a fair and impartial manner. This report also highlighted a “crisis of confidence” within the institution, especially among racialized employees.

Zellars’ findings underscore the need for urgent reforms to combat discrimination and ensure that Black executives and employees can work in environments free from racial hostility.