02/03/2026
This Black History Month, the Black Class Action Secretariat (BCAS) marks five years since we began our work to dismantle systemic discrimination in Canada’s public institutions.
What started as workers coming together to speak up about injustice grew into a national movement for accountability, dignity, and real change.
Over these five years, five moments stand out.
First, in 2021, the Public Service Employment Act was amended to address systemic discrimination in staffing. For the first time, the law acknowledged that discrimination in hiring and promotion is not just about individual decisions, but about systems.
Second, in 2022 BCAS submitted a formal complaint to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, documenting systemic anti-Black discrimination within Canada’s federal public service and Canada’s failure to meet its international human rights obligations.
Third, the federal government launched a full review of the Employment Equity Act in 2021 and committed to recognizing Black workers as a distinct employment equity group in 2023. This shift came after years of organizing, testimony, and legal action.
Fourth, In 2024 BCAS filed a formal complaint against the Canadian Human Rights Commission with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, the international body responsible for accrediting national human rights institutions, documenting discrimination against Black and racialized workers within the Commission itself. This action triggered a special review of the Commission’s accreditation, bringing rare international scrutiny and accountability to a Canadian institution and leading to changes within the body.
Fifth, the establishment of a $50 million mental health and career development program for Black public service workers in 2023/2024. This fund arose after an emergency motion was filed in the Federal Court of Canada to address racial trauma that workers experienced as a result systemic discrimination.
These changes came from pressure, organizing, and people refusing to accept the status quo.
But progress is fragile. Current austerity measures and public sector cuts are already reversing gains. And once again, Black workers are among the first to feel the impact.
Black History Month is not just about remembering the past. It is about what is happening now.
This month and beyond, BCAS continues to call on the Government of Canada to honour its commitments and to fully implement the recommendations of the Adelle Blackett Employment Equity Act Task Force.
Because change on paper is not enough.
Recognition without action is not justice.
Five years in, the work continues.
And we are not done.
Become a member today and support Black history in real-time bcas-srcn.org/membership
