Ex-CP24 host files complaint against Bell
A Toronto television personality has filed a human rights complaint against Bell Media alleging gender and racial discrimination, among other allegations, renewing scrutiny of the embattled broadcasting company.
Patricia Jaggernauth, a weather specialist, remote reporter and cohost on CP24 who recently resigned from the network, has filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission saying she was discriminated against on the basis of race, sex and disability.
“Throughout her employment with Bell, Ms. Jaggernauth has experienced a systemic pattern of racism, sexism and discrimination,” reads the complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. “She has been continually passed over for promotions and opportunities and has been treated as a token and a commodity by Bell.”
The complaint says the company denied her a living wage during her time, during which she mainly worked only two days a week, and says Bell had restricted her from freelancing to earn money outside of the company. The stipulation came despite her technically being a freelancer, the complaint reads.
The complaint also alleges there is a racial and gender pay gap in the company, adding there are no permanent Black on-air staff. Jaggernauth, of Guyanese and Jamaican ancestry, says the experience had effects on her physical and mental health and she ended up in ICU and then on an unpaid sick leave for three months.
The complaint says she has suffered stress, anxiety and depression leading to a breakdown on live television during a Bell Let’s Talk Day segment on mental health in January.
The allegations have not been tested at tribunal. Bell Media said in an emailed statement it does not comment on current or former employees.
Kathryn Marshall, a lawyer with Levitt Sheikh, is representing Jaggernauth in her complaint.
“Ms. Jaggernauth is relieved to finally be telling her story,” Marshall wrote in an email. “We look forward to holding Bell accountable for this egregious, systemic and discriminatory conduct. We will have more to say later.”
Audio obtained by the Star of a staff meeting at CP24 Thursday revealed Bell Media executives informing Jaggernauth’s former coworkers she had quit and was pursuing a human rights case, but did not go into detail.
The case is the latest HR problem for Bell Media after it endured a firestorm of public opinion for the dismissal of CTV national news anchor Lisa LaFlamme in August.