Harassment, Racism, and ‘Slapping’: All In A Day’s Work at Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is facing scrutiny as several current and former staff members allege systemic racism and a pervasive culture of harassment within one of Canada’s most prominent federal departments.

These claims were brought to light by Ms Madina Iltireh, a Black woman who wears a hijab and has served as the Ambassador’s assistant at the Canadian Embassy in Kuwait since 2018. Ms Iltireh reported severe mistreatment during her posting.

“When I was sent to Kuwait to represent Canada, it was meant to be an honor,” said Iltireh. “Instead, I faced isolation, humiliation, and a complete loss of my self-worth. I was representing Canada, but Canada did not represent me.” Ms Iltireh has over 20 years of experience administering foreign aid programs for her department.

According to Ms Iltireh, her ordeal seemed never-ending. GAC initially attempted to suppress her written complaint, but they underestimated her resolve. Undeterred, she pursued a judicial review of her complaint, and the undeniable facts were validated. The conclusion confirmed that Iltireh had been bullied and discriminated against.

So, what’s the issue now? Haven’t her accusations been validated? Shouldn’t she be satisfied?

Not at all. The justice process does not conclude once a plaintiff’s charges are proven correct. There is a subsequent phase involving penalties, and Ms Iltireh has not witnessed this phase in her case. “Despite the internal investigation by GAC confirming my claims, there has been no accountability or even an apology,” she stated.

Ms Iltireh has now decided to go public with her experiences, addressing the media on Parliament Hill alongside the Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination. This coalition includes the Black Class Action Secretariat, which is preparing to mount legal challenges against systemic racism and discrimination at GAC. They have also incorporated complaints from three additional GAC employees who experienced similar treatment to that of Ms Iltireh.

Nicholas Marcus Thompson, executive director of the Black Class Action Secretariat, remarked: “There is a mechanism to report discrimination, but that same mechanism obstructs it. Workers are silenced, and while they are held back, leaders advance.” He referenced a senior staff member at GAC who was promoted despite complaints against her being proven true.

Thompson criticized the temporary fixes often applied to such situations, emphasizing the need for long-term, substantial reforms rather than superficial solutions.

Responding to these recent allegations, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated that she is looking into at least one of the cases mentioned by the secretariat to address systemic issues within Global Affairs Canada. “It’s a priority for me as a minister and as a racialized woman,” she said in French.