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In a June 14 letter, Shoan urged Joly to investigate allegations against commissioner Vennard by individuals who he said reported their problems to Shoan instead of to the chair due to fear of “reprisal and attack.”

The letter alleges that Vennard was investigated for workplace harassment after a complaint by her assistant. It alleges that Vennard repeatedly referred to her assistant as “maggot;” referred to Manitoba and Saskatchewan Commissioner Candice Molnar as a “scraggly hag;” referred to Shoan as a “spoiled rich brown kid who probably grew up with servants;” requested to change hotels on commission-sanctioned travel because “there were too many black people;” and complained that it “smelled like curry” in her office after meeting with ethnic broadcasters.

These unsubstantiated offensive comments Mr. Shoan alleges I made are just malicious and hurtful to all of us

Shoan wrote that he was disturbed by the notion the chair would attempt to suppress the investigation.

Joly’s chief of staff told Shoan to take the matter up with Blais, according to court documents.

Both the CRTC and the Department of Canadian Heritage refused to comment on the allegations, stating the matter is before the courts.

“The CRTC is a quasi-judicial organization that plays an essential regulatory role in the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors in Canada. I have complete confidence in the Commission and its staff in carrying out their statutory functions. I also want to underline my full respect for the legal process whereby Mr. Shoan has exercised his legal rights with respect to the decision to terminate his appointment. As such, it would be inappropriate for parties to comment further while the matter is before the courts,” according to an emailed statement attributed to Joly.