A judge is being asked to decide whether Indigenous employees of an Alberta-based federal agency can bring a class action harassment and discrimination lawsuit — one that includes allegations that little is done to verify whether those filling top roles are actually Indigenous.

Federal Court Justice Glennys McVeigh heard arguments in Edmonton Tuesday in a proposed class action against Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC), which manages and regulates fossil fuel extraction on First Nation lands across Canada.

Two former employees — Letitia Wells and Yvette Zentner — allege they were subjected to a “toxic” workplace and faced harassment and discrimination linked to their Indigenous identity.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs are asking the court to certify the lawsuit as a class action, allowing any

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