Discrimination class action lawsuit against Indian Oil and Gas Canada dismissed by Federal Court

A proposed class action lawsuit against Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC) alleging years of harassment and discrimination by former Indigenous employees has been dismissed by a Federal Court judge. Lead plaintiffs Yvette Zentner and Letitia Wells claimed they experienced harassment at the agency, which regulates oil and gas development on First Nations lands. Justice Glennys McVeigh acknowledged the hardship described by the plaintiffs but ruled the case did not meet the criteria for a class action, citing a section of the Federal Public Service Labour Relations Act that requires disputes to be addressed through the grievance process.

This decision follows a similar ruling in March dismissing a class action by Black public servants alleging systemic racism. While an independent review in 2022 identified serious issues within IOGC, including a lack of seriousness regarding racism and discrimination allegations, the court found this did not constitute an admission of systemic negligence.

Indigenous Services Canada, which oversees IOGC, stated it takes concerns seriously and has processes for employees to raise issues, reiterating the court’s finding that existing labour and human rights processes are the appropriate avenues for addressing these concerns. The plaintiffs may choose to appeal the decision.

(Source：Ottawa Citizen)