Canadian Government Faces Lawsuit Over Treatment of Afghan-born Language and Cultural Advisers

Strategic Insights -

The Canadian government is being sued for allegedly discriminating against Afghan-born language and cultural advisers who served alongside Canadian troops in Afghanistan. The 31 former advisers, who were recruited based on their language skills and Afghan backgrounds, claim they were treated as "disposable" and denied medical and financial benefits despite facing the same risks as Canadian Armed Forces members.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 31 Afghan-born language and cultural advisers are suing the Canadian government, alleging they were subjected to mental, physical, and financial hardship due to discrimination.
  • The advisers claim they were recruited based on their Afghan background and language skills, and then exposed to hazardous conditions without adequate training or benefits.
  • The lawsuit alleges that Canada denied medical and financial benefits to the advisers, even though they faced the same risks as Canadian Armed Forces members.
  • The former defence minister, Bill Blair, wrote a letter saying he is confident the benefit regime currently available to the advisers "aligns with the spirit of" the ombudsman's recommendations, despite the ombudsman's finding that it does not.
  • Military generals have spoken out in support of the former LCAs, saying they were "absolutely essential" to the mission in Afghanistan.
  • The 31 advisers are seeking $40 million in damages, as well as medical and financial benefits equivalent to those of armed forces members.
  • A statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court says Canada targeted the LCAs for recruitment based on their Afghan background and language skills, and then exposed them to hazardous conditions without adequate training or benefits.
  • The lawsuit alleges that Canada put the LCAs in danger without adequate training, allowed back-to-back deployments that are not permitted for CAF members, and denied them access to treatment, which "compounded earlier harms."

Statistics:

  • The lawsuit claims there are 31 former Afghan-born language and cultural advisers who are suing the Canadian government.
  • The advisers are seeking $40 million in damages.
  • The benefit regime currently available to the advisers does not provide medical and financial benefits equivalent to those of armed forces members, despite the ombudsman's finding that it should.
  • The Canadian government has denied medical and financial benefits to the advisers, claiming they are contract workers with desk jobs in Ottawa.
  • The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) initially denied most of the claims for treatment from the advisers, citing time limits and a lack of documentation to support their injuries.

Sources:

  • *The Star*
  • Ontario Superior Court
  • Report of the Military Ombudsman, Robyn Hynes
  • Department of National Defence
  • Canadian Armed Forces