[Via National Post]

Canada’s broadcast and telecom regulator is facing accusations of “underlying racism and bigotry at the highest levels” in the latest legal action against the regulator by one of its former officials.

Court documents filed this week by Raj Shoan, fired last month as Ontario commissioner of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, allege that Linda Vennard, commissioner for Alberta and the Northwest Territories, made racist comments and harassed her assistant. The filings also accuse Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais of a “campaign of misinformation” against Shoan and suggest Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, whose department oversees the CRTC, disregarded these concerns.

None of the allegations has been proven in court. But they suggest the CRTC’s troubles amount to more than the escalating conflict between Shoan and Blais. They also raise questions among industry players over whether the reportedly rotten work environment is detracting from the CRTC’s ambitious agenda to overhaul policy for the Internet age — decisions that impact billions of dollars in infrastructure spending and every Canadian who uses a phone, TV or the Internet.

“The CRTC is a quasi-judicial body and needs to operate beyond reproach. As a Canadian, I would want assurances that allegations such as these have been thoroughly and appropriately investigated,” telecom consultant Mark Goldberg said.

Others who spoke on background said the ongoing legal battles make for a toxic negative workplace for staff dealing a heavy workload including decisions related to wholesale high-speed Internet pricing and net neutrality.

The conflict over Blais’ leadership style dates back to shortly after Shoan was hired in 2013, according to court documents. Shoan has since filed three legal challenges against the CRTC that contend Blais has overstepped his authority in some way.

One looks to overturn an investigation that found Shoan harassed a staffer over email. Shoan disputes the findings. At the June 21 hearing, the judge called Blais’ role in the investigation “quite troubling.”

But three days later – before the judge made a ruling (a decision is expected in September) – cabinet terminated Shoan citing actions that were “fundamentally incompatible” with his role, including the harassment investigation and negative comments about the CRTC on Twitter.

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