City of Montreal vows to change how it handles racism complaints after allegations from employees

The City of Montreal will create a centralized system to handle the filing of complaints by city employees related to racism and systemic discrimination.

It’s one of three recommendations the city is implementing in what it’s calling a “major change” in how it handles complaints of racism, discrimination and harassment within its own ranks.

“Once this is put in place, what is going to happen is that you have one single phone number which you already have or one email address,” executive committee chairperson Dominique Ollivier said.

The recommendations were put forward by an external advisory committee – made up of Maryse Alcindor and Mohamed Cherif – earlier this year.

The city came under fire for failing to address accusations of systemic racism and discrimination against its own workforce after a series of media reports revealed racism faced by dozens of racialized city workers.

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The proposed centralized system to handle complaints – a single point of contact – will be accessible to city staff by phone or email. It is expected to be operational in the fall.

“They’re going to listen to your story,” said Ollivier. “You won’t have to relive it multiple times because that’s one of the problems that we had before, is that people would say, ‘OK, I’m going there, I have to say what I experienced and I have to go to another door and do the same thing and then the third door and do the same thing and nobody’s doing anything about what I’m experiencing.’”

Dominique Ollivier (middle) and Serge Lamontagne (right) at press conference Montreal’s city hall June 14, 2023. (Martin Daigle/CityNews)

Ollivier said efforts were already underway, and the “disturbing revelations” from employees quickened their pace.

The city also says an independent body – the Montreal Public Service Commission – will handle any investigations into racism, discrimination and harassment.

City officials also say they will revise their policy on respecting individuals to include a zero-tolerance approach, accountability of all members of the municipal community and an “obligation to act.”

“It’s a credible instance already among the employees,” said Ollivier. “So now that we’re giving them those extended powers, we believe that it’s going to help with the confidence in the system.”

The city says its human resources department has worked closely with the external advisory committee. The HR team will raise awareness, train and equip HR workers and all managers to reinforce the concept of zero tolerance, the city says.

Critics are wondering if the city can actually go through with its pledge, and how exactly the process would unfold.

“We don’t have the details on how this whole thing is going to take place,” said Alba Zuniga Ramos, the spokesperson for legal affairs for the official Opposition. “And this is one of the worries that we have. We do hear that everything is going to be centralized, but at the same time, how is the communication going to happen between the boroughs and the commission? How is the process going to take place when it comes to the inquiries? What are the powers that are going to be given to the commission?”

Added Fo Niemi, the executive director of Center for Research-Action on Race Relations: “I think the main issue is how the city is going to do it. With what resources, especially in terms of handling complaints of discrimination. And what kind of expertise. And how to hold managers accountable.”