Former Cloverdale Rodeo chief executive accused of ‘blatant racism and sexism’ in human rights complaint – BC

[ad_1]

More than 20 former workers and volunteers have filed a complaint with the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal against the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Association, claiming they were discriminated against by the former CEO of the association.

The complaint states that Mike MacSorley was “allowed to poison the work environment of employees and volunteers with his blatant racism, sexism and threatening behavior towards women and South Asians.”

He goes on to say that the association has looked into MacSorley’s conduct, but “followed the steps,” adding that the investigation was undermined by sexist comments from MacSorley and the association’s management.

2:07 BC Ferries Facing Equal Human Rights Complaint BC Ferries Facing Equal Human Rights Complaint December 21, 2020

According to the complaint, MacSorley made comments targeting an employee of South Asian descent.

The story continues under the ad

“On several occasions Mr. MacSorley would comment on ‘you people’ or ‘your people’ to the accountant, then sarcastically assert that the comments were about ‘accountants and not brown people’,” the complaint read.

The document also alleges that MacSorley “refused to interview or hire anyone he believed to have an Indo-Canadian name.”

Powerful Campaign Targets Anti-Asian Racism Powerful Campaign Targets Anti-Asian Racism May 12, 2021

The complaint also stated that he harassed a female staff member “endlessly” from 2016 to 2019.

“Every day, Mr. MacSorley would sneak behind this employee and punch her in the ribs or pull her hair, causing her to jump and hurt herself on her desk,” the complaint reads. Mr. MacSorley repeatedly refused requests from this employee to move his desk or rotate it so that he could not crawl behind her. Upon exiting the toilet, Mr. MacSorley regularly threw large balls of wet paper towels on this woman.

The story continues under the ad

If any mention of a harassment complaint or concern was made, the document said, MacSorley would often repeat the phrase “harassment is two words – his ass.”

The complaint also alleges that association president Shannon Claypool made unwelcome sexual advances to female volunteers.

Read more: BC Human Rights Commissioner issues guidelines on proof of vaccination requirements

MacSorley left the association earlier this year.

“I haven’t sexually harassed anyone, but I probably made some bad jokes,” MacSorley told Global News Tuesday, adding that “it’s hard to make a negative point.”

Global News has contacted Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum for comment. The City of Surrey is funding the Rodeo Association to operate the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.

A spokesperson for the mayor said that “because this matter is before the human rights tribunal, the City will not comment.”

© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

[ad_2]