Canada's border agency under fire for treatment of sexual harassment cases

The domiciliate of common land public refuge citizens committee is provision an inquiry this spring to examine "systemic discrimination and organizational culture" within Canada's border agency.

In recent months, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been facing growing complaints of stonewalling investigations and a toxic work environment from current and former employees — some of whom have formed a network to help support border officers with their cases.

"[The CBSA] is discriminatory and toxic for everyone ... But it does seem disproportionately discriminatory against women," said Conservative MP Rhonda Kirkland, the committee member who has been spearheading calls for an inquiry after hearing from one of her constituents.

Kirkland said she is concerned by the CBSA's handling of complaints.

"It seems to me that, internally, the powers that be — management — are spending a whole lot of effort trying to cover up things," she said.

"We'd like to see a culture that is safe psychologically for the workers who work at protecting our borders on a daily basis." 

In an email to staff last November, CBSA president Erin O'Gorman acknowledged that employees who have experienced harassment or discrimination "do not always feel that they can go to management."

She said the organization has "more to do" and needs a "dedicated roadmap to get there."

Behind the scenes, a group of current and former employees joined forces last August to help CBSA workers navigate the complex complaints system designed to deal with alleged cases of harassment, discrimination and bullying. 

The group is called the Nova Alliance, in honour of former CBSA dog handler Danielle Getzie's canine partner, Nova.

Getzie fought a long battle against a CBSA policy that said trainers could spend no more than 90 days away from their animals — even for maternity leave. The policy has since been updated to allow for leave protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

She said the alliance can help border officers submit grievances or go through other forms of investigations.

"For the first time, women from across the country are starting to connect and they are realizing that their experiences are not isolated. They're not on their own," Getzie said.

She credits the work done by Kirkland at the public safety committee for bringing national attention to the border agency's workplace culture.

"The time is now," said Getzie. "We can't ignore it any longer."

She said she has been in touch with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and feels that he is aware of the need for internal reforms at the agency.

According to the Customs and Immigration Union, which represents Canada's border officers, these reports constitute just "a fraction" of harassment complaints that have hit the federal agency in recent years. 

Union president Mark Weber said the agency is quick to suspend employees, but often sends managers who engage in misconduct for training.

"Many of our members are very hesitant to put in any complaint at all, because they know that, for the most part, it really doesn't lead anywhere," he said. 

He pointed to a case in which a manager referred to female employees as "sugar tits" avoided serious disciplinary action.

"When abusers are allowed to exhibit this kind of behaviour over and over, and the only consequence is to repeatedly send them for training, an abuser learns very quickly 'I can get away with it,'" said Weber.

CBSA recently launched a process with its employees and union representatives "to identify and diagnose the most urgent issues to address" within its workforce of 18,000 employees.

It also announced plans last year to hire 1,000 new border officers over a three-year period.

Durocher said she's proud of the law-enforcement work by front-line staff at the CBSA, and that more is being done to increase diversity in its workforce and ensure that all employees, including women, enter a safe working environment.

She said all allegations are treated seriously on a case-by-case basis, but the CBSA cannot divulge the exact sanctions that are imposed in cases of harassment.

"One case is one too many. I can tell you that when it exists, it is addressed and continues to be addressed," she said.

Reporter

Daniel Leblanc is a reporter with more than 20 years experience in investigative journalism and federal politics. He is a past winner of the Michener Award, the Charles Lynch Award and three National Newspaper Awards.

---

---