Travis Dhanraj, the former host of "Canada Tonight," has filed a human rights complaint against the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Dhanraj, who is 43 years old and of Caribbean descent, claims he faced discrimination, harassment, and bullying during his time at the broadcaster. He alleges that he was forced to resign due to a toxic work environment that expected him to serve as a "token" journalist of color.

The complaint, submitted to the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) and represented by the Toronto law firm Marshall Law, details Dhanraj's experiences at CBC. He asserts that he encountered resistance at every turn while trying to book guests, particularly conservative voices, for his show. Dhanraj claims that after inviting the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party to appear, he was threatened with disciplinary action, including being removed from the air.

Dhanraj's departure from the show was reportedly influenced by a tweet he posted in April 2024, in which he stated that CBC President Catherine Tait declined an invitation to appear on his program. This led to an internal investigation into his conduct, which he claims was humiliating and detrimental to his mental health. Dhanraj's lawyer, Kathryn Marshall, stated that he is seeking damages for lost wages and an order for CBC to conduct a thorough review of its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

In his complaint, Dhanraj describes a workplace culture rife with bullying and favoritism, particularly from two other CBC anchors, David Cochrane and Rosemary Barton. He alleges that they received preferential treatment and that management enabled this behavior. Dhanraj also claims that he was pressured to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) that would have reassigned him to a different role with a pay cut, which he refused.

After taking medical leave in July 2024 due to stress, Dhanraj returned to work only to be permanently removed from his position shortly thereafter. He alleges that this was retaliation for not complying with the NDA and for voicing concerns about systemic issues within the organization.

In response to the complaint, a CBC spokesperson stated that the organization has not yet received independent confirmation of the filing. The spokesperson emphasized that CBC strongly rejects Dhanraj's claims and expressed dismay at the allegations against its staff. Dhanraj remains a unionized employee and is currently on leave, with his lawyer indicating that they are awaiting a response from CBC regarding the complaint.

Dhanraj's complaint highlights broader issues of diversity and inclusion within the CBC, as he seeks not only compensation for his experiences but also systemic changes to protect employees who report harassment and discrimination.