Community members show support for women suing Leduc fire, demand action from council
CTV
There was a show of support in Leduc Monday evening for women who allege they experienced systemic discrimination and sexual assault while working for the city's fire department.
There was a show of support in Leduc Monday evening for women who allege they experienced systemic discrimination and sexual assault while working for the city's fire department.
Two former female firefighters are suing Leduc Fire Services (LFS). Their allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment and bullying have not been tested in court.
Reports produced by an independent workplace investigator were recently made public as part of the process to get the class-action lawsuit certified.
The findings of investigator Veritas Solutions were referenced by the majority of the 11 people who attended Leduc Civic Centre on Monday to speak to city councillors directly.
"On your way here tonight, were you nervous?" one of the first speakers asked. "Were you worried about the things that people like myself might say to you and about you?"
She continued: "If you felt any of those things on your way here, to your work today, then I am thankful for it. Not because I enjoy the suffering of others, but because I believe it provides you with the unique opportunity to experience a tiny fraction of what women experiencing harassment, abuse and intimidation have experienced in their workplaces."
Another community member told councillors she stood before them "in shocked and disgusted anguish" after reading Veritas' reports.
