Anna Arcand, 15, was offered a job at the Archerwill Co-op by the grocery manager at the time, Holly Schweitzer. Schweitzer says Arcand was pleasant and helpful around the store. “I’ve never met a 15 year old like her. She was great,” says Schweitzer.
But Arcand was let go her second day on the job. Schweitzer believes race was the reason, although, she admits the manager didn’t say that directly.
“I got called into the board room and I was told to tell her to go home. I didn’t. I knew why and I did not agree with any of it. I refuse to work in a workplace that promotes this,” says Schweitzer.
The executive director of the Eastern Region II of the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, Ryan Calder, says his reaction to the news was shock and disbelief.
“We have been in that community for many years and it is a positive community and a good community. So, I was very surprised to hear this has happened,” says Calder.
Ray Bourgeois is the general manager who oversees the Archerwill Co-op. He says race was not the reason Arcand was let go.
“We did a thorough internal review. There was a definite lack of communication and someone hired without the proper authority to make those decisions. There was no racial discrimination, “ said Bourgeois.
Arcand says she still isn’t sure why she was let go. Bourgeois says the Co-op has offered both Arcand and Schweitzer jobs with the same salary and the Co-op is committed to resolving the issue. But the women have not accepted the offer and are looking at other options, including civil action.
