City apologizes for racism at Metro Transit bus garage

Halifax's head administrator has apologized for racist behaviour at theMetro Transit bus garage outlined in a rulingTuesdayby aNova Scotia human rights board of inquiry.

"We have made a lot of strides," said CAO Jacques Dub. "But clearly we have lots more work to do."

The decision could cost the municipality close to $1 million.

The independent board of inquiry looked into complaints by a transit employee whose name is protected by a publication ban.The man is referred to in the decision only as Y.Z.

He issued a statement through his lawyer afterTuesday'sdecision saying he did notwant to comment. However, Y.Z. did note that althoughthe municipality has issued anapology through the media, no one has contacted him to apologize.

Theworker told the inquiry he experienced discrimination and harassment dating back to 2000.

Although the man is white, he's married to a black womanand has supported other employees of colour.

Incidents involve Y.Z., his wife and others

The ruling outlines a list of incidents that took place either on the job or at a workplace social event. They involve Y.Z., his wife and other employees.

The incidents include verbal racial slurs, washroom graffiti, the vandalism oftools, assault and the use of a bus to terrorize Y.Z. by brushing by him.

The decision finds that a number of third-party witnesses to the incidents werecredible and notes that several employees were "kicked out"of cultural sensitivity training.

The decision says one supervisor, Arthur Maddox, was the perpetrator of most of the wrongdoing. He was fired in 2000, but was later reinstated because of provisions in thecollective agreement.

The chair of the inquiry, Lynn Connors, notes in herdecision that of all the people involved, Maddox isthe only one whocontinues towork at the bus garage.

"The irony does not escape the chair," she wrote.

Connorsstates Maddox was able to act in a disrespectful, aggressive andracist way and, because of the provisions of the collective agreement, continue in his employment.

The inquiry ruled the municipality is "vicariously liable"for the actions of its employees because it did not do enough to address the "poisoned work environment."

According to Dub, there will be disciplinary action as a result of the decision.

"While I can't get into the exact details, there has been action taken and there will be further action taken," said Dub. "This is not something that we can tolerate as an employer."

Victim asking for $950,000

The municipality updated its harassment prevention policy at the end of 2016.

The chair of the inquiry has asked for more submissions before she determines the size of an award, but it will be based on past and future lost income.

A hearingto deal with the awarding of damages or the assignment of mandatory traininghas been set forJune 4. When the hearing got underway two years ago, Y.Z. was asking for $950,000.

The hearinglasted 36 days between February 2016 and March 2017.