New CEO named for embattled museum

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This article was published 10/08/2020 (1886 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When Isha Khan applied to become the new president and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, it was still wintertime, COVID-19 had yet to arrive in Manitoba, and the museum had not undergone a public reckoning over its own institutional failures.

“I applied for this position when there was still snow on the ground,” said Khan, a human rights lawyer and former executive director of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. At the time, then-CEO John Young’s term was set to expire in August, and Khan submitted her cover letter and CV, with her fingers crossed.

After she applied, the museum’s management was hit with allegations of discrimination and racism. Khan is well aware many people will be watching closely as she occupies the hot seat.

“It’s daunting that people will be looking with greater scrutiny, but I feel pretty comfortable I understand the issues,” she added. “I understand human rights, but I also understand how to work with teams of people and how to bring them together around a mandate.”

“Do I think I’m the only person who can do this job? Absolutely not,” she said. “But do I think I’m equipped to do it well? I think so.”

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some nerves, but I’m excited, and have been just wanting to get to work,” she said.

On Monday, federal Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault announced Khan’s application was successful, making her the first person of colour on the job and the first woman to hold the job on a non-interim basis. She begins her five-year term on Aug. 17.

Khan is optimistic she can put her experience in the field of human rights — including a current stint as chair of United Way Winnipeg’s board, her membership of the Law Society of Manitoba’s Equity Committee, and her role as a founder of the local chapter of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women — to good use in her new role. But aside from the usual responsibilities associated with taking leadership of a national museum, Khan will be front and centre as the museum attempts to move past a troubling chapter in its own history.

In June, the museum came under public scrutiny as allegations of discriminatory attitudes began emerging from current and former staff. Some museum guides said they had been instructed between 2015 and 2017 to exclude LGBTTQ+ content from certain school tours, while other allegations included sexual harassment and racist hiring and payment practices.

Amid the fire, Young agreed to leave his post June 25, and Pauline Rafferty, the chair of the museum’s board of trustees, was installed in his place on an interim basis. Meanwhile, a third-party review by local litigator Laurelle Harris began, with the 72-page report published in early August. The report concluded the federal institution suffers from a culture burdened by “pervasive and systemic” racism, along with discriminatory attitudes.

Included in the report were 44 recommendations, including an expansion of mandatory staff training in areas such as anti-racism, unconscious bias, and countering homophobia and transphobia in the workplace for all employees, including the CEO. A number of recommendations are also aimed at renewed hiring policies, as well as enhanced diversity at the board level. Harris also recommended the federal government ensure Young’s replacement was from the BIPOC community.

“I know I can count on (Khan) to uphold the highest standards of inclusiveness, social awareness and respect at the Museum,” Guilbeault said in a release Monday. “I’m confident Ms. Khan will support the museum in its mandate to enhance public understanding of human rights, promote respect for others, and encourage reflection and dialogue.”

Marianne Hladun, the regional executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the union which represents 160 museum employees, said Khan’s appointment was a strong first step in what’s hopefully a new era for the embattled institution.

“Her background in human rights is absolutely critical,” said Hladun. “For us, having that knowledge and experience will be crucial in supporting employees in the work they do to implement the mandate of the museum.”

 

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca