TORONTO – A former CBC executive who was dismissed in the wake of the Jian Ghomeshi issue is suing the public broadcaster for more than $700,000.
A National Post report says that Todd Spencer, who was executive director of human resources and industrial relations, filed a lawsuit in Ontario Superior Court that accuses CBC of publicly shaming and “sacrificing” him “to send a message to the Canadian public that the CBC takes matters of workplace harassment seriously.”
In a formal defence, the CBC denies Spencer’s claims and alleges he merely “purported to commence” an investigation, then “deliberately misled” them about what he knew, and failed to pursue concerns about Ghomeshi raised by two employees, continues the report. CBC also alleges that Spencer “determined that there had not been any inappropriate conduct in the CBC workplace by Ghomeshi,” a determination the CBC initially relied on for its public comments about the growing scandal.
Spencer’s lawsuit asks for $390,000 in lieu of notice, $100,000 for breach of duty, $100,000 for bad faith manner of dismissal, $50,000 in punitive damages, plus an unspecified amount in lost pension benefits and special damages.
