"Flying While Black": Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Hearings Spotlight Airline Discrimination

Strategic Insights -

June Francis, a 70-year-old business professor and anti-racism advocate, took to the witness stand this past week to testify about her harrowing experience at Vancouver International Airport on March 1, 2018. The Jamaican Canadian woman, who had recently undergone knee surgery, approached an Air Canada check-in agent for help amid a long lineup, but was met with a demeanor she felt was racist and discriminatory. The incident has sparked a hearing at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, which will determine whether Air Canada discriminated against Francis based on her race.

Key Takeaways:

  • June Francis, a 70-year-old Black woman, testified about her experience at Vancouver International Airport, where she claims to have been discriminated against by an Air Canada check-in agent due to her race.
  • The agent, Betty Liao, described Francis as "rude" and "aggressive," but denied yelling at her to get in line or refusing to give her name or identification number.
  • A supervisor and security guard were dispatched to the scene, where they demanded that Francis delete photos of Liao taken with her cellphone.
  • The tribunal heard that Francis was described as "loud," "demanding" and "unruly," and that the Air Canada supervisor said to her, "I can see why you are a problem. You do not take directions. I can see why you were treated that way."
  • Rachel Zellars, a Saint Mary's University professor and researcher, testified that Francis's case has the hallmarks of the "Sapphire trope," a stereotype of Black women as angry, untrustworthy, dishonest, aggressive, mean and violent.
  • Francis is seeking damages in the amount of $40,000 and wants Air Canada to institute sensitivity training and training in unconscious bias, anti-racism and anti-sexism.
  • The hearing continues this fall with testimonies from more witnesses from both parties.

Statistics:

  • 70: The age of June Francis when she testified about her experience at Vancouver International Airport.
  • 40,000: The amount of damages Francis is seeking in her claim against Air Canada.
  • 5 feet, 10 inches: The height of June Francis, which she believes was a factor in her being perceived as a threat by the Air Canada agent.
  • 5 feet: The height of Air Canada check-in agent Betty Liao, who disputed Francis's account of the incident.

Sources:

  • Sujit Choudhry, lawyer for June Francis
  • Aaron Hefter, CEO of a sports nutrition company and witness to the altercation
  • Elaine Lee, Air Canada supervisor
  • Betty Liao, Air Canada check-in agent
  • Rachel Zellars, Saint Mary's University professor and researcher
  • Clay Hunter, Air Canada lawyer
  • The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal