Former Terrace Councillor filing human rights complaint against city officials

Some Terrace officials are facing a human rights complaint.

A year after resigning from council, Jessica Mccallum-Miller has filed a human rights complaint against the City, Mayor Leclerc and Councillor James Cordeiro, claiming systemic racism.

McCallum-Miller filed the complaint with BC’s Human Rights Tribunal last Monday.

In her complaint, she alleges to have witnessed racial jokes and harmful words levied by Cordeiro towards local First Nations.

She also says that neither the Mayor, nor her fellow councillors, took action to denounce or prevent this behaviour.

According to McCallum-Miller, the decision to file the complaint stems from a need to seek justice, improve the relationship between the City and surrounding First Nations, and her own personal healing.

She wants to see all municipal councils in BC step up to undergo Indigenous Cultural Awareness training and incorporate the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Miller was the first Indigenous, and youngest Councillor in Terrace’s history when she was elected in 2018.