The B.C. Veterinary Medical Association “engaged in systemic discrimination” against Indo-Canadian vets associated with discount clinics, the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has concluded.

Tribunal member Judy Parrack found that the association — which became the College of Veterinarians of B.C. in 2010 — “tolerated and facilitated the discussion of wide-ranging and race-based allegations” about Indo-Canadian vets. The case dragged on for more than a decade.

She ordered the association to end the discriminatory practices and to pay 13 vets born and trained in India $2,000 to $35,000 apiece plus interest for “injury to dignity, feelings and self-respect” plus more than $45,000 in total for various claims of lost wages and expenses.

The governing body is also ordered to review certain disciplinary complaint files cited in the case, post an anti-discrimination policy on its website and provide a one-day training program for staff, contractors, volunteers and various committee members targeting racial discrimination.

Hakam Bhullar, the owner of Atlas Vet Clinic in Vancouver, was awarded $30,000. He said Friday that he finally feels vindicated but that the case took a heavy financial and personal toll. He estimates the vets put $1.7 million into fighting the case.

“I wasn’t fighting for money, I was fighting for justice,” he said in an interview. “You don’t know the hell I’ve lived through and continue to live through.”

He asserted that the discrimination was based not just on Indo-Canadian vets charging less, but where they are from.

Bhullar said he’s noticed no improvement in the situation and is asking the B.C. government to take over the “old boys’ club” — the College of Veterinarians of B.C.

College president Nick Shaw said in a written statement Saturday that the "events in question took place between 2002 and 2006" and the college is a new organization operating under a new provincial act.

He said the college has taken steps to ensure that the currently disciplinary process "has been applied without bias to all registrants regardless of race, religion or country of origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability."

The decision will be carefully reviewed with legal counsel in the coming days and steps will be taken as necessary to "ensure that our organization does not adhere to any racial or cultural stereotypes," he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture released a written statement late Friday saying the province will be reviewing the decision, but has not been contacted by any vets. The statement noted there is “no place for racism” in the province and that all organizations are expected to “respect, include and embrace” cultural diversity.

The vets had sought $60,000 for Bhullar “due to the impact on him of being singled out and targeted by the BCVMA” as the ringleader.

Bhullar did not provide documentation on lost income “as a result of having his registration erased” by the governing body from December 2009 to March 2011. He testified he “reduced the number of clinics that he was opening and focused more on his real estate business.”

Pavitar Bajwa received the largest compensation at $35,000. He testified he worried the governing body might close his practice and was unable to take his son to India for a visit, fearing a surprise inspection of his facility.