Federal government has spent more than $15M fighting Black class-action lawsuit

By Canadian Press on October 30, 2025.

OTTAWA — The federal government has spent more than $15 million fighting a class-action lawsuit filed by Black public servants, documents filed in Parliament show.

A document prepared by the Department of Justice says the government’s legal costs amounted to approximately $15,024,452 as of September.

The proposed class action lawsuit was launched by Black public servants in 2020 who alleged systemic racism within the public service.

A Federal Court judge earlier this year dismissed a motion to certify the lawsuit, which sought $2.5 billion in damages because of lost salaries and promotions.

The parliamentary document says the total includes legal services to support the preservation of records covering 99 departments and agencies, examinations, Canada’s response to the plaintiffs’ motions and Canada’s motion to strike the claim.

The total has almost doubled since 2023, when the government had spent nearly $8 million fighting to dismiss the lawsuit.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2025.

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press

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