Harassment, bullying must bring consequences, Ralph Goodale tells House of Commons

OTTAWA – The federal public safety minister says there must be consequences when employees harass or bully colleagues.

Ralph Goodale is trying to assure the NDP he understands the seriousness of accusations of bullying and racist behaviour in the Toronto office of Canada’s spy agency.

Matthew Dube, the NDP public safety critic, is renewing his call for a full investigation of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service following the agency’s release of an assessment citing widespread concerns about favouritism, discrimination and low morale.

In addition, five employees allege in a Federal Court claim that they were harassed at CSIS for being Muslim or gay.

WATCH: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that alleged harassment within CSIS is being investigated and is “unacceptable.”

0:44 Trudeau says alleged harassment in CSIS is ‘unacceptable’

Dube told the House of Commons today it is important to ensure this sort of behaviour is not affecting the work that CSIS does, and that any managers responsible will be held to account or even fired.

Goodale says the matter is extremely serious and the government will take the necessary steps to stop such abuses.