CaribPR Wire

Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination presser

(Photo credit: Blair Gable) Ottawa – Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination holds press conference releasing internal report on Privy Council Office

CARIBPR WIRE, OTTAWA, Canada July 29, 2024 — Today, the Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination released an internal report obtained through the Access to Information Act, which revealed blatant and widespread discrimination at the Privy Council Office (PCO). The federal government is Canada’s largest single employer, and it relies on the Privy Council Office to manage the public service, while also supporting the Prime Minister and the federal Cabinet. As such, the findings are extremely troubling, and a concern to all Canadians.

Through interviews with staff conducted over the course of six months, Dr. Rachel Zellars discovered a workplace where racial stereotyping, microaggressions, and verbal violence was regularly practiced and normalized, including at the executive level, and a culture that discouraged reporting, and lacked accountability mechanisms. Further, Dr. Zellars found that white employees and executives detailed career-advancing opportunities that were in stark contrast to those of Black, Indigenous, and racialized employees, who were clustered in temporary and lower-level positions.

In 2021, the then Clerk of the Privy Council, Ian Shugart, issued a Call to Action to public service leaders to take specific and meaningful actions to address racism, equity, and inclusion. But in the report, Black and racialized employees at PCO describe its Corporate Services department as a key barrier to that Call to Action.

The PCO provided the Coalition with an update on the steps they have taken since this report was released internally. While its list of initiatives show some attempt to implement the report’s recommendations, they lack the depth required to fully tackle the systemic issues identified, and there are still many key recommendations that have not been addressed.

The Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination is calling for:

• The resignation of Deputy Clerk Natalie Drouin, who was responsible for the discrimination file since 2021; and the resignation of Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Ministerial Services and Corporate Affairs, Matthew Shea, the head of Corporate Services since 2017.
• The federal government to appoint a Black Equity Commissioner to address systemic anti-Black racism across all levels of government (similar to the two representatives appointed to address Antisemitism and Islamophobia)
• The federal government to establish a department of African Canadian Affairs to centralize and give priority anti-Black racism work.
• The federal government to immediately implement the Employment Equity Act amendments it promised in December 2023, to add Black Canadians as an employment equity group.
• The federal government to provide restitution to Black public sector workers who have launched a class action lawsuit based on years of discrimination, as identified in multiple federal reports.

QUOTES

“It is shocking that this level of blatant discrimination occurred in one of Canada’s highest offices. Once again, those who have been perpetrators of discrimination are being tasked with implementing change. This approach has consistently failed, and it’s time for real arms-length accountability mechanisms, and structural changes to meaningfully address anti-Black discrimination.” Nicholas Marcus Thompson, President, Black Class Action Secretariat.

“This report underscores the urgent need for the federal government to immediately table the Employment Equity Act amendments, in line with the Task Force’s recommendations. Additionally, the government must swiftly settle the class action filed by Black public service workers to address the systemic discrimination they have endured.” Larry Rousseau, Executive Vice President, Canadian Labour Congress.

“As representatives of professionals working within PCO, we are outraged that such discriminatory practices have been allowed to persist. It is clear that significant, structural changes are urgently needed to create a fair and inclusive workplace for all employees. The federal government must act decisively to implement the necessary reforms and ensure accountability at all levels.” Nathan Prier, President, Canadian Association of Professional Employees.

ABOUT:
The Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination consists of: The Black Class Action Secretariat (BCAS), the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA), The Enchanté Network, the Red Coalition, the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC), 613-819 Black Hub, the Black Canadians Civil Society Coalition (BCCSC). The Coalition previously highlighted discrimination at the Canadian Human Rights Commission, which is currently being investigated by an international accreditation body.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/18fc6358-7910-4230-9764-4ccc8268e748

Impactante informe interno expone discriminación desenfrenada en la jefatura de la administración pública de Canadá

CARIBPR WIRE, OTTAWA, Canada, July 29, 2024: Hoy, la Coalición contra la Discriminación en el Lugar de Trabajo publicó un informe interno obtenido a través de la Ley de Acceso a Información, que reveló una discriminación flagrante y generalizada en la Oficina del Consejo Privado (PCO). El gobierno federal es el mayor empleador individual de Canadá, y depende de la Oficina del Consejo Privado para administrar el servicio público, mientras que apoya al primer ministro y al gabinete federal. Como tal, los hallazgos son extremadamente preocupantes y una preocupación para todos los canadienses.

A través de entrevistas con el personal conducidas en el transcurso de seis meses, la Dra. Rachel Zellars descubrió un lugar de trabajo donde los estereotipos raciales, microagresiones y violencia verbal se practicaban y normalizaban regularmente, incluso a nivel ejecutivo, y una cultura que desalentaba que se denuncien y carecía de mecanismos de responsabilidad. Además, el Dr. Zellars descubrió que los empleados y ejecutivos blancos detallaban oportunidades de avance en la carrera estaban en rotunda contradicción con las de los empleados negros, indígenas y racializados, que estaban agrupados en puestos temporales y de nivel inferior.

En 2021, el entonces secretario del Consejo Privado, Ian Shugart, emitió un llamado a la acción a los líderes del servicio público para que tomen medidas específicas y significativas para abordar el racismo, equidad e inclusión. Sin embargo, en el informe, los empleados negros y racializados de PCO describen su departamento de servicios corporativos como una barrera clave para ese llamado a la acción.

El PCO proporcionó a la Coalición una actualización sobre los pasos que se tomaron desde que este informe fue publicado internamente. Si bien su lista de iniciativas muestra algún intento de implementar las recomendaciones del informe, carecen de la profundidad necesaria para abordar completamente los problemas sistémicos identificados, y todavía hay muchas recomendaciones decisivas que no han sido abordadas.

La Coalición contra la Discriminación en el Lugar de Trabajo pide:

• La renuncia de la secretaria adjunta Natalie Drouin, responsable del expediente de discriminación desde 2021; y la renuncia del subsecretario del gabinete, servicios ministeriales y asuntos corporativos, Matthew Shea, jefe de servicios corporativos desde 2017.
• El gobierno federal nombrará a un comisionado de equidad negra para abordar el racismo sistémico contra los negros en todos los niveles de gobierno (similar a los dos representantes nombrados para abordar el antisemitismo y la islamofobia)
• El gobierno federal establecerá un departamento de asuntos afro-canadienses para centralizar y dar prioridad a los esfuerzos contra el racismo negro.
• El gobierno federal implementará de inmediato las enmiendas a la Ley de Equidad en el Empleo que prometió en diciembre de 2023, para agregar a los canadienses negros como un grupo de equidad en el empleo.
• El gobierno federal debe proporcionar restitución a los trabajadores negros del sector público que iniciaron una demanda colectiva basada en años de discriminación, como se identifica en múltiples informes federales.

CITAS

“Es impactante que este nivel de discriminación flagrante haya ocurrido en una de las oficinas más importantes de Canadá. Una vez más, los que han sido perpetradores de discriminación tienen la tarea de implementar el cambio. Este enfoque ha fracasado constantemente, y es hora de contar con mecanismos reales de rendición de cuentas y cambios estructurales para abordar de manera significativa la discriminación contra los negros”. Nicholas Marcus Thompson, presidente, Black Class Action Secretariat (Secretaría de Acción de Clase Negra).

“Este informe subraya la necesidad urgente de que el gobierno federal presente inmediatamente las enmiendas a la Ley de Equidad en el Empleo, de acuerdo con las recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo. Además, el gobierno debe resolver rápidamente la demanda colectiva presentada por los trabajadores negros del servicio público para abordar la discriminación sistémica que han sufrido “. Larry Rousseau, vicepresidente ejecutivo del Congreso Laboral Canadiense.

“Como representantes de los profesionales que trabajan dentro de PCO, nos indigna que se haya permitido que persistan tales prácticas discriminatorias. Está claro que se necesitan con urgencia cambios estructurales significativos para crear un lugar de trabajo justo e inclusivo para todos los empleados. El gobierno federal debe actuar con decisión para implementar las reformas necesarias y garantizar la rendición de cuentas en todos los niveles”. Nathan Prier, presidente, Asociación Canadiense de Empleados Profesionales.

ACERCA DE:
La Coalición contra la Discriminación en el Lugar de Trabajo consiste en: The Black Class Action Secretariat (BCAS), Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA), The Enchanté Network, Red Coalition, Federation of Black Canadians (FBC), 613-819 Black Hub, Black Canadians Civil Society Coalition (BCCSC). La Coalición destacó anteriormente la discriminación en la Comisión Canadiense de Derechos Humanos, que actualmente está siendo investigada por un organismo de acreditación internacional.

Una foto asociada con este comunicado de prensa está disponible en https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/18fc6358-7910-4230-9764-4ccc8268e748

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CARIBPRWIRE, WASHINGTON D.C., Thurs, January 6, 2022: Caribbean-born, US voter, Juliette Adams, a thought advocate and creator of The Frederick Press, has launched a creative, civic education tri-initiative to empower the politically disenfranchised in the U.S.

Launched on January 1, 2022, Education/Actions/Self-Investments, (EASI), was created within the framework of the Gifted & Magical 95 Percent (G&M 95%) series, a five-book political tool kit.

As Congresswoman Yvette Clarke highlighted at the Caribbean American Voter 2020 Townhall, low self-esteem contributes to the community political apathy, a feeling of powerlessness, and hopelessness, disenfranchisement and damaging the direction of one’s destiny in democracy.

Deployment of an EASI vehicle assists as an educational solution, said Adams.

The Funding vehicles, ‘A Human Capital Star – Civic Education Thought Initiative,’ is on Kickstarter and continues through January 28th.

‘Gifting Knowledge For Democracy Preservation,’ is on GoFundMe and ‘Legislative Input – Powering Economic Democracy,’ on Indiegogo, continues through February.

The community can opt to become revitalizing democracy players through creative and innovative civic education advocacy with the projected mid-term sweep of the House and Senate seats by Republicans.

Adams believes that a fundamental reason for Caribbean-American political firsts is their personalized cultural democracy, strong spirituality, love of freedom, and high education prioritization. Firsts include Caribbean American Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm (D – NY), Vice-President Kamala Harris, whose roots extend to Jamaica, (D), Congresswoman Mia Love, whose roots extend to Haiti, (R – UT) , and Lieutenant Governor-Elect, Jamaican Winsome Sears (R -VA).

EASI also applies to the underserved white community, evident in the September 18, 2021 rally. It highlights the powerful Trademark of Education in competitive politics, as the issue unexpectedly switched the VA governorship to Republican Glenn Youngkin and his running mate, Caribbean American Winsome Sears.

If the Virginia “Education” win directs mid-term campaigns, the Caribbean American community has an EASI route to be recognized for its substantial contributions, and the influence to direct national and regional policy, said Adams.

The Caribbean American thought advocate added: “It manifests Warren Buffett’s words: ‘Philanthropy is harder than business. You are tackling important problems that people with intellect and money have tackled in the past and had a tough time solving. So, the search for talent in Philanthropy should be more important than the search for talent in investment.’”

Educate, Inform, Embolden, Engage/Empower the EASI way, said Adams. “Support an EASI Grassroots Philanthropic Civic Education today.”

MEDIA CONTACT

Juliette Adams

202-733-0408

[email protected]

The Frederick Press

EDITOR’S NOTE: PHOTO FOR USE WITH PRESS RELEASE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Dec. 18, 2020: Caribbean American voters turned out in huge numbers to select the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris ticket on November 3, 2020. On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, January 17, 2021, they will be an impressive gathering in cyberspace with some of the Caribbean’s most notable artistes, dignitaries, and organizations globally to mark another dynamic moment in history – the pending swearing in of Harris as the first black and female, Caribbean-American US vice-president at the 59^th Presidential inauguration.

Invest Caribbean, the number one global private sector, investment agency of the Caribbean, has initiated the Caribbean American Action Network, (CAAN), a collective of Caribbean American and Caribbean organizations, to present a live, virtual, Caribbean inauguration party under the theme: “Celebrating #CaribbeanAmericanKamala.”

This dynamic, virtual celebration is set to feature signature performances from some of the Caribbean’s top entertainers, including Jamaican-born dancehall star, Flourgon, who in January settled a USD 300 million lawsuit with Miley Cyrus for his 1988 Jamaican chart-topping hit single, ‘We Run Things.’

It will be co-hosted by the first Black woman in a James Bond movie, Trina Parks, whose roots extend to Barbados, through her mother, and to Antigua through her grandparents.

Also set to perform will be Barbados’ own Soca King, Edwin Yearwood of ‘All Aboard’ fame; Krosfyah of “Pump Me Up” fame; as well as rising stars, Toni Norville and Kirk Brown; Jamaican gospel singer Joan Meyers, of ‘Can’t Even Walk’ fame; independent Jamaican artiste Janine Jkuhl of ‘Sway’ fame, Owen Dalhouse who recently released ‘Heal the Soul of America;’ as well as Guyanese Menes De Griot and Shanto, along with Frankie McIntosh, Maxie Gouevia and Rashid Thorpe. De Griot, an African spiritual leader, herbalist, and master drummer who has performed at the Million Women March and Tribute to The Ancestors, will open the event with a powerful pouring of libation to the ancestors, followed by a group performance on drums.

Top speakers bringing messages of congratulations and greetings include Congressman Adriano Espaillat of NY, one of only a few Caribbean born US Congressmembers; the Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles; Chair of the CARICOM Consular Corps of New York, Counsel General of Barbados to NY, O. St. E. Mackie Holder; Dr. Michelle Chester, the corporate director Employee Health Services at Northwell Health who delivered the first COVID-19 vaccine in the US, and several Caribbean Diaspora leaders, including ICN CEO and CAAN’s founder, Felicia J. Persaud; President of ICN and CAAN co-founder, Dr. Sheila Newton Moses; Caribbean Immigrant Services founder, Irwine Clare, Sr., O.D.; Global Village Book Publishing LLC’s Aubry Padmore; Coalition for the Preservation of Reggae Music’s Carlyle McKetty and Esther Austin of Esther Austin Global.

The Vice President-Elect, Kamala Harris, is expected to deliver a message of her own to the Caribbean Diaspora and Caribbean people globally.

“This is a historic moment for us as Caribbean people in these United States, who have been here since slavery and we are convinced that VP-elect Harris represents the best interest of all Americans, inclusive of those who share her Caribbean ancestry,” said the brainchild of the event, Caribbean-America immigrant, journalist, entrepreneur, and advocate,” Felicia J. Persaud.  “America and the Caribbean region have always enjoyed a positive working diplomacy and no doubt, this will be reinforced, as we now have a strong ally in the White house.  We are proud that she is one of us.”

“Not only did Caribbean voters help to elect the first female, Caribbean American US Vice-President, but now we are marking this moment, in the history of the Caribbean Diaspora memorable, and making it known globally, that she is not only, African American, Indian American, but Caribbean American with a rich heritage,” added Dr. Sheila Moses Newton.

The live stream will kick-off at 7 p.m. EST on January 17, 2021 on the Facebook, Twitter and YouTube platforms of One Caribbean Television, (OCTV), as well as on Radio 102.9FM in Antigua & Barbuda. On Inauguration Day, OCTV will air the event on broadcast television across the Caribbean.

CAAN, The Caribbean American Action Network, and an initiative of Invest Caribbean, marks the coming together of several Caribbean Diaspora organizations to country to serve the millions of Caribbean Americans in the US, in the areas of civic engagement, civil rights and immigration, business funding and grants and health. CANN is a call to action for all Caribbean immigrants and Caribbean Americans, and for others to join us and come together in the best interests of the US and the Caribbean region.

Sponors include: Team Jamaica Bickle, Coalition For The Preservation Of Reggae Music, Global Village Book Publishing, LLC, Esther Austin Global, One Caribbean Television, News Americas News Network, CaribPR Wire, Hard Beat Communications, The Haitian Times, Radio 102.9FM. For partnership opportunities contact joe at hardbeatcommunications.com.

MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY

Kathy Bronson

Hard Beat Communications

kbronson at hardbeatcommunications.com

NEW YORK, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ – Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders steps up to the plate as the contender against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today with his formal announcement to run for president.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150430/213081)

In spite of Sen. Bernie Sanders doubts’ of Clinton’s political slant on major issues, the tone is obvious that he anticipates a fair fight for the Democratic position and advancing to the General Election based on his stellar approach on topics that average Americans can relate to.

Bet on Bernie Sanders 2016 (formerly known as Ready for Bernie Sanders 2016 PAC) unleashed the red carpet to Sen. Sanders presidential bid with a public display on a ‘Bet on Bernie’ themed billboard in New York, Time Square last week, as reported by New York Daily News in hopes to build up awareness for the New England senator and exploit his roots as a native of Brooklyn, New York.

Supporters from all over the country have pledged their support on social media from the normal civilians to well known celebrities, as Bill Maher, who posted an image and link to an article in regards to the upcoming announcement of Sanders’ presidential bid today.

Bet on Bernie Sanders 2016 chief director Cary Lee Peterson says “We have been here since the beginning and saw this day coming. He’s hands down the people’s choice.”

The independently organized Sanders’ 2016 hybrid PAC encourages people to visit betonbernie.com to get familiar with Sen. Bernie Sanders character, policy, and history as an American political figure. Peterson states that “the website is active for awareness and he hopes to raise awareness for Sanders across the country.”

Article by: Sheila Dawson

Image with caption: “BETONBERNIE.COM: Sen. Bernie Sanders for president. Born & bred in Brooklyn. 30+ years in Congress, not a flaw. The world is ours. GO VOTE! (CNW Group/Cyber Media Services)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150430_C6662_PHOTO_EN_15990.jpg

For further information: Cyber Services Media, Contact: [email protected]