Former host Travis Dhanraj launches human rights complaint against CBC, accusing it of ‘performative diversity’
A national CBC host who resigned this past summer, accusing Canada’s public broadcaster of “performative diversity, tokenism,” and of putting up resistance when he booked conservative voices on his show, has filed a human rights complaint against the Crown corporation alleging it discriminated against him on the basis of race, colour and disability.
Travis Dhanraj, the 43-year-old former host of Canada Tonight, who is of Caribbean heritage, alleges in a complaint filed with the Canadian Human Rights Commission that he was harassed and bullied out of his job.
“Mr. Dhanraj took on the role of host of Canada Tonight because, based on representations made by CBC, he would be the driving force of the show, booking guests, and reflecting the range of opinions, lived experiences and interests of contemporary Canada. He believed he would be able to shape the editorial direction and vision of the program,” says his complaint.
Instead, Dhanraj “quickly realized that diversity was not a true practice of the CBC and would never be a part of their agenda. Throughout his employment, Mr. Dhanraj attempted to push for diversity (particularly related to political voices on the show) and racial equality. However, Mr. Dhanraj was consistently met with resistance at every point, and a toxic work environment in which harassment, bullying, and retaliation went unchecked — leading to his constructive dismissal,” the complaint alleges.
Dhanraj alleges that when he “attempted to book guests, particularly conservatives; he was met with resistance. After having the Deputy CPC leader on his show, he was threatened with discipline, including being pulled off the air,” according to his complaint.
“When the network aired an interview with the federal housing minister on Power and Politics, highlighting government talking points, Mr. Dhanraj’s attempt to book the conservative housing critic to present balance on the network was blocked.”
A CBC spokesperson said Friday that the public broadcaster has yet to receive independent confirmation that Dhanraj’s complaint has been filed.
“At this time, we can only reiterate in the strongest terms possible that CBC rejects his version of events,” Kerry Kelly said in an email.
“We are dismayed by these attacks on our hosts and newsroom leaders. We will vigorously defend against false claims, including allegations of political bias in guest selection.”
Dhanraj’s complaint alleges that it was apparent “that the CBC had systemic inequities, diversity issues, and unequal access to resources. Mr. Dhanraj quickly realized he had been chosen to host Canada Tonight because the CBC expected him to be the ‘token’ brown man. As such, Mr. Dhanraj requested a (diversity, equity and inclusion) investigation on February 20, 2024, but no such investigation took place. When Mr. Dhanraj met with CBC management in February 2024, he was sidelined. Management accused him of putting up a ‘crusade’ and he was told to ‘work within the system’ rather than challenge it. In other words, he was expected to put his head down and be compliant.”
After Dhanraj took to the social media platform X on April 19, 2024, writing that CBC President Catherine Tait declined an invitation to be on his show, he alleges “CBC began an intense investigation against Mr. Dhanraj to explore possible violations of its policies and journalistic standards and temporarily removed Mr. Dhanraj from the air.”
That removal and its associated “humiliation,” along with pressure to sign a non-disclosure agreement, “all took a drastic toll on Mr. Dhanraj’s mental health,” his complaint alleges.
“As a result of the CBC’s actions and refusal to address his toxic discriminatory and harassing workplace, Mr. Dhanraj had to take a medical leave in July 2024.”
That December he “returned to full-time hours after requiring months of treatment. Within the first week of his return, he was immediately retaliated against for not signing the NDA that CBC had tried to force him to sign before his medical leave. CBC permanently removed Mr. Dhanraj as the host of Canada Tonight and decreased his remuneration without the 30-day written notice stated in his contract, derailing his career,” his complaint alleges, which notes the Canada Tonight job paid Dhanraj “an annual base salary of $92,945.36,” plus a $43,000 top up, an overtime buyout of $10,000, and up to $10,000 in wardrobe allowance.
This past spring, his complaint alleges, “CBC once again attempted to coerce Mr. Dhanraj into signing an NDA. They erroneously claimed that Mr. Dhanraj ‘owed them’ $30,000 in ‘overpayments’ and attempted to weaponize this by trying to get him to sign an NDA and resign under duress while on medical leave by claiming that they would then waive ‘coming after him’ for the $30,000.”
According to Dhanraj, “he had no choice but to involuntarily resign.”
He’s seeking “damages for past and future wage loss as a result of discrimination and retaliation, in addition to damages for his pain and suffering.”
He also wants the CHRC to order CBC to “undergo a comprehensive investigation and review of its (diversity, equity and inclusion) and workplace harassment policies,” and ” implement a robust whistleblower policy to protect CBC employees … like Mr. Dhanraj who have blown the whistle on systemic issues of harassment, abuse, tokenism and intimidation.”
Dhanraj “remains a unionized employee, currently on leave,” Kelly, the CBC spokesperson, said. “His lawyer has been aware for many weeks of what is required for CBC to process his resignation, however, CBC to this date has received no response on the matter.”
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