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Dhanraj’s departure from “Canada Tonight,” according to the complaint, was sparked partially by an April 2024 tweet he posted on X (formerly Twitter) about then-CBC president Catherine Tait, who he said declined a request to appear on his show.

This allegedly provoked an internal investigation against Dhanraj to explore possible violations of the broadcaster’s policies and journalistic standards, temporarily removing him from the air.

“What my client is seeking is damages for past and future wage loss as a result of the discrimination and retaliation he endured from CBC, as well as an order from the Canadian Human Rights Commission that CBC undergo a comprehensive investigation and review of DEI and workplace harassment policies,” said Kathryn Marshall, Dhanraj’s lawyer.

Marshall added that Dhanraj wants CBC to implement a robust whistleblower policy “to protect CBC employees like himself who have blown the whistle on systemic issues of harassment, abuse, tokenism and intimidation within the corporation but have been retaliated against.”

The complaint alleges Dhanraj was the victim of bullying and harassment by two other CBC on-air anchors, David Cochrane and Rosemary Barton, who he says received preferential treatment, enabled by CBC management during his most recent continuous employment at the broadcaster since 2021.

The allegations against Cochrane and Barton include arguments over “stealing” booked guests on their shows based on who booked a guest first.

In a statement to the Star, the CBC says it was advised by Dhanraj’s lawyer that a human rights complaint was filed with the CHRC and were sent a copy of the complaint, “however, CBC has not yet received independent confirmation from the commission that a complaint has been filed. At this time, we can only reiterate in the strongest terms possible that CBC rejects his version of events.”

“We are dismayed by these attacks on our hosts and newsroom leaders. We will vigorously defend against false claims, including allegations of political bias in guest selection,” said CBC spokesperson Kerry Kelly.

The Star asked Cochrane for comment via email, to which he responded: “I have nothing else to add at this time.” Barton didn’t respond to the Star’s request for comment in time for publication.

Dhanraj alleges he was restricted from selecting guests on his show who were conservatives and was “threatened with discipline,” including being pulled off the air, for having Melissa Lantsman, co-deputy leader of the Conservative party, on his show.

In February 2024, Dhanraj requested a DEI investigation which, according to the complaint, did not happen when CBC management accused him of a “crusade” and told him to “work within the system.”

He took his first medical leave in July 2024 caused by mental stress when the broadcaster allegedly requested Dhanraj to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) stating that he be reassigned as a guest host on CBC’s “Marketplace” for five months, and would receive a pay cut when he returned to his primary position.

When he returned from his sick leave, he was dismissed permanently as the host of “Canada Tonight” for allegedly not signing the NDA, in part leading him to taking a second sick leave in December 2024.

He says the CBC retaliated against him “because he did not act like the brown ‘token’ man they wanted,” after he voiced his complaints regarding alleged systemic issues on bullying, harassment, lack of managerial support, and racial discrimination.

Kelly stated Dhanraj remains a unionized employee and is currently on leave, which the Star previously reported has been ongoing since at least February.

Dhanraj began as a reporter for CBC in Edmonton and ɫɫ��, then moved to CP24 and CTV News. After serving as the Queen’s Park bureau chief for Global News, he returned to CBC in 2021 as a senior parliamentary reporter. In February, his time slot was replaced by Ian Hanomansing’s “Hanomansing Tonight.”