Fired Vancouver Canucks staffer alleges discrimination in claim against team

The Vancouver Canucks have fired a former video analyst and filed a complaint under human rights.

Rachel Doerrie, 26, claimed the team’s assistant manager, Émilie Castonguay, made discriminatory comments about her mental health before the team fired her for an “unreasonable and flimsy” reason in September.

“Ms. Doerrie was harmed in her dignity, self-esteem, physical and mental health, as a result of Ms. Castonguay’s comments and her subsequent treatment by her. The Nov. 22 filed complaint stated that she also suffered financial loss due to her unexpectedly lost employment.

Castonguay, Castonguay, and the Canucks deny the allegations.

Doerrie told CBC News that she was motivated to file the claim to help be part of a push to change hockey culture in the country.

She said, “You cannot move forward and create an environment that is more welcoming to people who don’t look like you”

Rachel Doerrie explains her motivation bringing her complaint against the Canucks:| Rachel Doerrie explains her motivation bringing her complaint against the Canucks:

Argument over newspaper article

The Canucks hired Doerrie as an analyst in January. The complaint said she had post-traumatic stress disorder linked to a heart condition and suffered from depression, anxiety and panic attacks  — all of which she openly disclosed to the team during the interview process.

Doerrie was promoted to manager in August despite not having received any complaints about her job performance.

In September, Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau spoke highly of her while talking to reporters at a charity golf tournament.

Province published an article around the coach’s comments, which Doerrie reposted on her Instagram account. 

The complaint said Castonguay called Doerrie into her office the next day, concerned she had spoken to media. Doerrie said she told Castonguay she had only “politely reacted” after the reporter — a friend — texted her about what Boudreau had said.

“Ms. Castonguay responded to Ms. Doerrie’s explanation of what occurred by saying: ‘you’re not important enough to be cared about’ and ‘no one in the media is your friend,'” it continued.

“Further and more, in terms of Ms. Doerrie’s mental and physical well being, despite her strong work performance, and the praise from her peers, Ms. Castonguay said to Ms. Doerrie, “I don’t know what it takes to do this job, mentally.”

Doerrie claimed that she was fired days after her claim.

“I was blindsided,” she told CBC News about the cascade of events following the first meeting with Castonguay.

Canucks, Castonguay deny claims

The complaint criticized how Castonguay allegedly treated Doerrie, as another woman working in a male-dominated field.

It reads, “Ms. Doerrie expected Ms. Castonguay, as another woman who had worked hard in breaking into a male-dominated field, would be supportive of Ms. Doerrie and would have taken care not to exploit or exacerbate any other barriers she faced such as her disabilities.”

“It is obvious, based in all of the circumstances, that Ms. Doerrie was sexy and had physical and mental disabilities. This led to her termination of employment.”

In a statement provided by the team, Castonguay said the allegations are not true and statements attributed to her are false and inaccurate.

The response stated that “I take a lot pride in my work as a leader with the Vancouver Canucks. I am a person of high moral character and always respecting my co-workers.”

“Ms. Doerrie was not treated differently based on gender, a mental handicap or a physical condition.”

Doerrie’s accusations were denied by the Canucks, which stated that it disagreed strongly with them.

“Our organization provided Ms. Doerrie all the resources, support, and opportunities she needed to succeed in her job.” We acted with good faith and adhered to our contractual obligations both during and after Ms. Doerrie was employed by the organization.”

Doerrie filed a complaint asking the tribunal to determine that the conduct of the team constituted discrimination. It also asked the tribunal to order the organization to compensate her and address the discrimination.