Earlier this week, IRCC published a summary report of a survey conducted among 62 employees, with the chief complaints of many linked to racist micro-aggressions, harassment and professional marginalization during postings abroad.

“I had heard a few anecdotal reports of those kinds of issues from our members,” Isfeld said. She added she was surprised at the number of complaints.

The union representing IRCC employees who work in Canada also said it had not been consulted on the creation of an ombudsperson’s office.

“They have an obligation to consult with bargaining agent unions,” said Crystal Warner, executive vice-president of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union.

Some work underway at IRCC

In its statement to CBC News, IRCC pointed out it has created anti-racism sector commitments for all staff, an internal advisory board and programs to support career development for underrepresented groups.

The department also said it is making unconscious bias training mandatory for all employees, managers and executives.

The summary report it published this week did note that employees say work has been done to address racism complaints since the last time IRCC surveyed them in 2021.

The Immigration Department also said it has consulted with the unions and “will continue to do so.” It said it engages with a variety of external stakeholders as it implements its anti-racism work.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he expects the federal government to quickly address the issues raised by employees in the latest survey. “No one should be discriminated against because of the way they speak, the language background that they have,” he said.

“Ongoing concerns raised about IRCC mean that there needs to be some real concrete action taken,” he added.