Bell Media is asking the Canadian Human Rights Commission to dismiss the claim of Toronto television personality Patricia Jaggernauth, who alleged she suffered gender and racial discrimination while working for the network.

But Jaggernauth’s lawyer said her allegations reflect wider issues in the media industry and that she will “fight on” in a case the lawyer said is already prompting others to speak out.

Jaggernauth’s complaint to the commission last October renewed scrutiny of the broadcasting company after a firestorm of public criticism over the dismissal of CTV national news anchor Lisa LaFlamme. It also came after the Star reported that the company had launched an investigation last year concerning the workplace environment at CP24.

In its first response to Jaggernauth’s complaint, the company said it “vigorously denies any and all discrimination allegations,” according to documents sent to the commission dated March 24 which Jaggernauth’s lawyer shared with media Thursday.

Jaggernauth alleged that Bell denied her a living wage while with the network, during which she mainly worked only two days a week. Her complaint also claims Bell restricted her from freelancing to earn money outside of the company. The stipulation came despite her technically being a freelancer, the complaint reads.

Jaggernauth, of Guyanese and Jamaican ancestry, alleged there were “severe” racial and gender pay gaps in the company and at CP24’s weather department, white men were making six-figure salaries while Jaggernauth received a raise of approximately $14 in 11 years.

“I had been treated like a token and a commodity by CP24 and Bell — passed over for promotions more times than I can count,” the 2007 Emmy Award winner said in a separate social media video.

The allegations have not been tested at tribunal.

Bell said in a letter to the commission that it has always acted in accordance with the Canadian Human Rights Act, and said that since union grievance processes remain available to Jaggernauth, the commission should “decline jurisdiction in dealing with the complaint.”

Jaggernauth’s lawyer, Kathryn Marshall of the Levitt Sheikh firm, said her client was shocked by the response.

“We’re outraged. The audacity of asking the commission to not even hear the complaint and shirking it aside is shocking.”

Marshall is also representing former Bell Media radio host Jamil Jivani, who filed a suit against Bell Media last year for wrongful dismissal and other reasons, alleging racism.

“Cases like these encourage other people to come forward,” Marshall told the Star.

Marshall said she hopes the cases will “result in some change.”

“It gets people talking about what are sort of concealed industry practices. The problems are rampant and widespread. It’s unfortunate because the media does an important job in this country and everyone deserves job security.”

Other media organizations have faced their own criticism. In 2020, more than 1,200 employees — representing approximately 25 per cent of the workforce and which disproportionately included people of colour — were non-permanent employees at CBC/Radio-Canada, according to the Canadian Media Guild. CBC has yet to respond to a request from the Star for recent information.

The issue of freelance staff who worked for Bell Media without job protections also arose during an independent third-party review of the CTV National newsroom conducted last year by leading employment lawyer Sarah Crossley.

In a memo, Bell Media pledged to take actions including reviewing the status of freelance staff, holding more team meetings and assigning a dedicated human resources team to work with journalists.

Bell Media spokespersons did not respond to requests for comment from the Star.

Joanna Chiu is a B.C.-based staff reporter for the Star. She covers global and national affairs. Follow her on Twitter: @joannachiu

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