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CBC
20-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Klinic's workplace in 'distress,' requires transformation, investigation report says
The workplace at Klinic Community Health is in "distress" marked by patterns of "leadership failure," racial harm and unresolved conflict that require a cultural transformation at the organization, according to a report obtained by CBC that Klinic has framed as sobering. The non-profit organization, based in Winnipeg's West Broadway area, hired a third party to conduct an independent review of the organization earlier this year, after its board of directors started receiving letters from staff in January raising concerns about racism, intimidation and bullying at work. The findings of the investigation turned into a 53-page report which was shared with staff on Monday. The report outlines a number of recommendations to address discrimination, diversity and organizational structure at Klinic. "Restoring trust will require more than technical fixes," the report said. "Klinic has been a beacon of light in being responsive to the needs of diverse and poorly served groups of people," the report said. "The goal is to live those values with one another, not only community members." The independent review included interviews with 75 people and a survey that was filled by 128 members of staff and volunteers. Most of them indicate that despite the ongoing concerns about senior management, they love working at the organization because of their supportive coworkers and meaningful community work. But the review found there are issues with the leadership style of some managers and directors. Some members of staff believe leadership's decision-making doesn't align with the day-to-day realities of the services the organization provides. Meanwhile, the structure of the organization was found to be "top heavy," with more management positions than necessary. And while there is no rampant racism, when incidents of discrimination happen they are not dealt with quickly or effectively to the satisfaction of those being affected, resulting in unresolved conflict building up into polarization and blaming, the report said. In an email to staff on behalf of the board of directors, Chairperson Kathy Majowski said the findings are "difficult and sobering." She said the organization will be working with staff, unions and leadership to develop "a concrete, inclusive action plan" based on the recommendations. "We know this won't be easy. But we also know that Klinic's strength has always come from the people who care deeply about its mission." On Thursday, three days after the report was shared, the role of three directors at Klinic were eliminated and their employment terminated, Debra Radi, Klinic's executive director said in an email to staff obtained by CBC. "These were difficult decisions, and they were not taken lightly," the email said. CBC has reached to Klinic and its board of directors for comment. Staff frustration A spokesperson for Manitoba's health minister, which offers some funding to Klinic, didn't directly comment on the report findings but said the province expects all of its partners to provide a safe and respectful workplace for all staff, that's free of discrimination, harassment and toxicity. The review found there's lack of a process to deal with inappropriate remarks or misgendering, which has led to divisions, the report said. With little satisfaction on how complaints are handled, staff reported they are more likely to file grievances with the union, but the process is time-consuming and union staff are "not always available to help." The situation is frustrating, the report said, to members of staff and volunteers from diverse communities "who have spent years dealing with racism, homophobia or transphobia" in a place "that should be a positive environment." Some staff who witnessed others being harassed or disrespected feared speaking out about it or becoming a target, counter to how Klinic has "prided itself in being on the forefront of change" for those without a voice, the report said. Other members of staff reported fear about being terminated and most wouldn't recommend Klinic as a workplace because it would be "harmful to their mental health and well-being." With the organization's growth in recent years, staff told the third-party reviewer they have seen a change in how Klinic deals with issues in a more "top-down manner." Those interviewed said decisions are made at a higher level, and the input of staff is not encouraged while opposing views are met with abuse or intimidation. "Klinic has highly knowledgeable staff who expect their knowledge and experience to be recognized and valued. That is not happening," the report said. Part of a bigger issue The review also found more resources are needed for middle and front-line staff. While some directors have two to three people reporting directly to them, middle managers have sometimes between 24 to 68 people under their wing — making it "impossible" to give people feedback or monitor their progress. The report said the addition of more services may be a reason for this issue and a review of the organization's structure is needed with more teams working together. The report also examines questions around Klinic offering drop-in services, explaining there is a need in the community for a low-barrier inclusive service provider, especially after the drop-in centre at the West Broadway Community Ministry closed in 2019, At the moment, the organization does not have capacity to operate a full drop-in centre safely and effectively, the report recommended. Klinic could explore the possibility of creating a separate facility with another organization, the report said. But "without clear and immediate action, Klinic Community Health risks deepening internal dysfunction and potentially creating unsafe conditions for staff and vulnerable community members alike," the report said. Jason Linklater, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, said the report matches the feedback the union representing over 150 workers at the Klinic has seen over the years, and some employees have expressed feeling validated. He is also happy to see the response from Klinic, inviting the union and staff to work with leadership on the recommendations. But the report speaks to a bigger problem in the health-care system and "it is time to get serious about the cultural issues," he said. The NDP government, which ran on a promise to fix the health-care system, has talked about changing the culture in the system, but front-line workers have yet to see a transformation, he said. Adequate staffing levels — a focus of the current government — are important to usher in that change, but systemic problems are born out of poor management as well, Linklater said, "Leadership really matters," he said. "The ones that are not good drive severe problems, and we need those rooted out and we need them to be exited."
CTV News
09-07-2025
- CTV News
Suspect arrested after women intervene in Vancouver transit bus assault
A suspect has been arrested after a woman was reportedly groped on a transit bus in Vancouver, police say. The assault was reported shortly after 8 a.m. on June 9, when a woman on a crowded 99-B Line bus travelling on West Broadway was grabbed from behind, the Metro Vancouver Transit Police said in a news release Wednesday. The suspect, who was not known to the woman, reportedly boarded the bus and stood directly behind her. Police say the man then 'made inappropriate sexual contact' with her while the bus was in motion. 'Two female bystanders on board the bus witnessed the alleged assault and confronted the suspect, who fled the bus on foot,' Sgt. Dustin Szakacs said in the release. Investigators identified and arrested the suspect, and have recommended one charge of sexual assault to Crown prosecutors. The man was released from police custody with several conditions, including a ban from using Vancouver transit buses, pending a scheduled court appearance, police said. 'While we would never ask anyone to put themselves in harm's way, we wish to commend the actions of the two women who immediately came to the victim's aid and contacted police,' Szakacs said. 'Thanks to their assistance, we were able to make an arrest and hold the suspect accountable for his actions.'
CBC
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Councillor urges Winnipeg mayor to rescind civic award given to Food Fare owner
City police are investigating a video circulating online regarding the Israel-Hamas war which has prompted a Winnipeg city councillor to call for a civic award to be taken away from a local businessman. Coun. Sherri Rollins wrote an open letter to Mayor Scott Gillingham on Sunday about Ramsey Zeid. Zeid, a co-owner of Winnipeg's Food Fare grocery stores and president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM), accepted a Mayor's Business Improvement Zone Award on May 15. The award was for the Maryland Food Fare's help with community events in the West Broadway area. "I urge you to rescind this award," Rollins wrote in the letter. Rollins said The Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba (CPAM) recently re-posted a video in their Instagram Stories that talks about actions that Palestinian people could take to advocate for their cause. The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg provided a screenshot of the post, which appears to show that CPAM shared the video in question from its account. The video features a masked figure in a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf calling for non-peaceful action around the globe to "move the needle" and "eventually destroy the status quo." It calls Israel a terrorist foreign entity and refers to "demonic Zionists." A Zionist refers to someone who supports the idea of a Jewish national homeland in Israel. The video then refers to how a group in its infancy is setting up in select cities and are planning to make this global "on a massive scale." It calls for at least one person in every city to lead teams of non-peaceful disruptors. Rollins called the posts "thinly veiled calls to violence" and said they are "not harmless expressions of opinion." In an email to CBC News, Zeid said he is seeking legal advice about what Rollins wrote to the mayor and, as such, can't comment further. As for the award, he said he's honoured because it reflects that "I've always tried, to the best of my abilities, to help those who need it, especially in a time of rising poverty here affecting my fellow Winnipeggers." Awards reception Gilligham wasn't at the awards reception — deputy Mayor Markus Chambers filled in — but repeatedly told media on Monday that Food Fare, not Zeid, was the recipient. "The award was given to a business, not an individual, and the nomination was put forward by the West Broadway Biz, and Coun. Rollins sits on that board," Gillingham said. If Rollins has a problem with the nomination, she should talk to her fellow board members and executive, he added. In an interview on Monday, Rollins said Gillingham needs to take his own accountability for an award that comes from his office. Free speech is important but "Words matter. And that's why I think it is really appropriate for a rescinding of this award," she said. "I do want to see people learn, people understand the harm, and as council we have a role to play on convening peace," she said. In her letter, Rollins cited another post, made earlier this year by an Instagram account called Zionists in Winnipeg, which featured her image. An image of Gillingham was posted by the same account. Rollins pointed to the "real-world consequences" specifically the fatal shooting last week of couple Sarah Milgram and Yaron Lischinsky in Washington, D.C., as they were leaving the Capital Jewish Museum where they attended an event promoting peace in the Middle East. Washington Metropolitan Police chief Pamela Smith has said the shooter was chanting "Free Palestine, free Palestine" as he was being taken into custody. Gillingham said Monday morning he had not yet spoken to Rollins about her concern. "I sat across the table from her on Saturday night at an event. She said nothing of this. And then Sunday I get a letter from her," he said. "I think, as a matter of good faith, she could have raised it Saturday night, pulled me aside at the event we were at, sitting across the table breaking bread together." As for the video, Gillingham has seen it and calls it concerning. It has been forwarded to the police, he added. A spokesperson for the Winnipeg Police Service confirmed it is investigating the video being circulated "calling for global violent intifada," and that those types of investigation are complicated and will take time. "There is no room for antisemitism in this city, I've been clear on that before," Gillingham said. "There's no room for the rhetoric that would incite antisemitism or Islamophobia, for that matter as well." Winnipeg councillor wants civic award to business owner rescinded 19 minutes ago Duration 2:25 Winnipeg police confirm they are investigating a video circulating online that has prompted a city councillor to call on the mayor to revoke a civic award given recently to a local businessman.
