CP24 personality alleges 'systemic pattern' of discrimination in human rights claim against Bell Media

A well-known Toronto television personality has filed a human rights complaint against Bell Media, alleging "a systemic pattern" of racism, sexism and discrimination, adding that during her 11 years with the company, she was "treated as a token and a commodity."

In a complaint filed with the Canadian Human Rights Commission on Wednesday, Patricia Jaggernauth, a weather specialist, remote reporter and co-host for the Bell-owned news channel CP24, describes being repeatedly passed over for promotions and earning less than a living wage.

Jaggernauth says she watched as white colleagues, often newer ones, made it higher up the corporate ladder, while she wasn't even offered a contract — something she attributes to the fact that she is a racialized woman.

Part Guyanese and part Jamaican, Jaggernauth claims she was denied full-time stable employment and was instead forced to work weeks straight without a day off — an experience she says landed her in hospital with pneumonia because she felt she had no choice but to put work ahead of her health. 

"I almost died doing what I loved because a freelancer can't say no. Every hour is bread, every hour is rent, every hour is that tank of gas," said Jaggernauth, who resigned from Bell Media last Tuesday.

In an email to CBC News, a Bell Media spokesperson said, "We do not comment on matters involving current or former staff members, but can confirm that Bell Media takes allegations of any potential discrimination very seriously, and are committed to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment where employees can thrive. 

"If a matter is brought to our attention where an employee did not feel adequately supported, a process is triggered to review and address when required."

In an exclusive interview with CBC News, Jaggernauth broke her silence about her time at Bell.

At first, she said, landing a job there felt like "a dream."

WATCH | Patricia Jaggernauth speaks about working for years without a contract at Bell:

"I'm the girl living in metro housing that got out. I'm the one that was never supposed to succeed," she said. "I knew that I loved people, I loved community, I loved conversation ... And where I was working provided that — but not ever on a contractual basis, always as a fill-in.

"How come I'm always good enough to fill in but never good enough to invest in?"

Jaggernauth says she was guaranteed just two days of work each week, and called at random to fill in for hosts who were off sick or away. With no certainty as to what her weeks would look like, she says she relied on the ability to take on other jobs to supplement her income — something she had done throughout her time there.

This past summer, management moved to limit that ability, blocking her from performing any paid activities outside of the company without management approval, according to her formal complaint. The rule was originally created in 2019 when Bell employees unionized, but was never enforced until this year, she says.