Territory launching HR investigation, reviewing response to allegations
The Yukon government has placed on leave a worker accused of sexual assault and misconduct in their line of work.
The employee was stationed at the Ross River community, where members of the Ross River Dena Council accused him of "rape, sexualized assaults and harm to our women,” reported CBC, citing a letter the group sent to the Yukon government on April 8.
But back in 2021, the Yukon government tasked someone from the Department of Justice to collect information from witnesses and potential victims of the worker.
Prior to that, there were meetings, emails and internal investigations over the issue dating back to 2016, according to the report.
Sources told CBC they believe the employee was never removed from the community throughout the years, even though they repeatedly raised concerns over his alleged actions.
"It's hopeless the way justice is ... they're not even listening to us," said Dorothy Smith, one of those who signed the letter and sits on the Ross River Dena Council.
The letter refers to the use of a Yukon government truck to put women in vulnerable situations, according to the CBC report.
"Your government chose to protect your employee that has been harming our women,” the letter reads.
"It has been reported to us by our community that women are being dropped off the highway with the Yukon government truck left to fend for themselves at risk of exposure and further harm. How is this any different from Saskatchewan's 'Starlight tours' where Aboriginal people were dropped off to die?"
HR investigation into alleged assaults
The letter also demands an investigation into the Yukon government's conduct, which the letter described as “insulting [and] borderline racist."
According to CBC, Premier Ranj Pillai said that he was only made aware of the letter from the council one month after it was sent.
In July, the Yukon government said it was launching its HR investigation, according to the report, and will be reviewing how it has responded to allegations about the employee over the years.
The Yukon government also declined to confirm or deny whether the employee was placed on leave or removed in previous years for investigation, according to the report.
