Indigenous staff press ahead with discrimination lawsuit against on-reserve oil and gas agency – CBC

Oct 31, 2023

Lead plaintiff calls allegations ‘disturbing’

Indigenous civil servants are seeking Federal Court certification for a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging systemic racism and chronic toxicity at the Canadian government’s on-reserve oil and gas agency.

The plaintiffs filed a batch of affidavits last month, detailing allegations of pervasive bullying, discrimination, harassment and intimidation at Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC), located in Tsuut’ina Nation west of Calgary.

Employees allege the agency’s workplace was tarnished by sexual improprieties, unchecked abuses of power and widespread fear of reprisal, causing stalled careers, diminished self-worth and serious harm.

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

“It’s very disheartening to read these affidavits,” said one of two lead plaintiffs, Letitia Wells, who is Blackfoot from the Kainai Nation in southern Alberta, also known as the Blood Tribe.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/iogc-racism-class-action-certification-1.7012464