The Canadian government has reached a $150 million settlement for military members alleging racism in the Armed Forces
Ottawa: So, the Canadian government just settled a big class-action lawsuit with military members who faced racism while serving. It’s a pretty significant move, and the settlement is worth up to $150 million. Individual payouts will be between $5,000 and $35,000, depending on the case.
This lawsuit covers folks who served in the Canadian Armed Forces from April 1985 to January 10 and experienced racism in uniform. If you’re eligible, you can even get a personal apology letter from the chief of the defence staff, which is a nice touch.
Along with the cash, the settlement includes a promise to change the culture within the Armed Forces to make it more inclusive. Defence Minister Bill Blair mentioned that racism really messes with military teamwork, and he’s glad the Federal Court approved this settlement.
Blair emphasized that this shows a commitment to creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all members of the CAF. It’s worth noting that the Canadian military has faced other lawsuits too, like those related to sexual misconduct and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Back in 2019, they settled a massive $900 million lawsuit for sexual misconduct claims, and over 23,000 people got compensation from that. Plus, survivors of the LGBTQ Purge settled for $145 million in 2018. There’s also a separate lawsuit from military members claiming discrimination due to mental health issues.
Last year, the Federal Court approved an $817 million settlement for veterans whose disability pensions were miscalculated. It’s clear that the military is facing some serious challenges, and these settlements are steps toward addressing those issues.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on January 13, 2025, by Sarah Ritchie.
