From Trinidad and Tobago to Global Advocacy
Nicholas Marcus Thompson is a human rights advocate, non-profit executive, and keynote speaker, widely recognized for his diplomacy, tact, and data-driven approach to combating systemic discrimination. As the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Black Class Action Secretariat (BCAS), he is a leading figure in the fight against anti-Black racism, dedicating his life to ensuring justice, fairness, and equality for all, both within Canada and on the global stage. In addition to his role at BCAS, Nicholas serves as the Director of Social Action at the World House Project, a global initiative focused on social justice and equity.
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Background and Early Life
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Nicholas Marcus Thompson grew up in the disadvantaged communities of Piparo and Morvant. He faced significant adversity from a young age, including poverty, violence, and racism. Despite these challenges, Nicholas’s determination and resilience led him to Toronto, Canada as a teenager, where he continued to confront racial discrimination. These formative experiences deeply shaped his commitment to advocating for marginalized communities and fighting systemic discrimination. His journey from these humble beginnings to becoming a global advocate for human rights is a testament to his relentless pursuit of justice and equality.
Labour Movement and Leadership Roles
Nicholas’s involvement in the labour movement has been transformative. He has held several key leadership roles within Canada’s largest federal union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), including:
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President of the Union of Taxation Employees Toronto North: Representing workers at the Canada Revenue Agency, Nicholas tirelessly advocated for fair treatment, equity, and inclusion within one of Canada's largest federal employers.
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Vice President of the Greater Toronto Area Council: In this role, he worked to advance workers' rights and promote diversity across the workforce.
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Chair of the Racially Visible Members Committee: Nicholas led initiatives to address systemic racism within the union, ensuring that Black, Indigenous, and racialized members had a voice in union affairs and policies.
He also played a critical role in addressing systemic racism within PSAC, particularly during a significant incident involving the resignation of leaders due to their handling of allegations of anti-Black racism. This underscored the need for internal reform to better support Black, Indigenous, and racialized employees.
Advocacy and Organizational Leadership
In 2020, Nicholas ignited a national movement to combat anti-Black discrimination in the public service by mobilizing workers and launching a groundbreaking $2.5 billion class action lawsuit against the entire federal public service of Canada, encompassing 99 departments and agencies. This lawsuit was a pivotal moment in highlighting the systemic barriers faced by Black employees and led to historic changes within Canada’s public service, promoting equity and inclusion.
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Nicholas founded the Black Class Action Secretariat (BCAS) in 2020, a non-profit organization that has become the premier entity combating systemic discrimination through litigation and advocacy, with a particular focus on anti-Black discrimination. Under his leadership, BCAS successfully advocated for a $50 million mental health and career development program and the historic proposed recognition of Black people in Canada's Employment Equity Legislation. Additionally, amendments were made to the Public Service Employment Act to address discrimination in staffing.
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During his tenure, anti-racism secretariats were established across the public service, and the representation of Black leaders more than doubled between 2020 and 2023, from 99 executives to 207—the fastest increase of Black leaders in any period of time. Nicholas also led the formation of the Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination, bringing together unions, civil society, and human rights groups to combat employment discrimination across Canada. His efforts have brought national attention to systemic discrimination within various government bodies, including the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and the Privy Council Office, which serves as the Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada.
Global Advocacy
Nicholas Marcus Thompson has taken his advocacy to the international stage, intervening at the United Nations on three occasions to bring global attention to Canada's discriminatory practices against people of African descent. He led a successful effort to hold the Canadian Human Rights Commission accountable for its discriminatory actions against Black employees by spearheading the Coalition Against Workplace Discrimination's formal complaint to the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), a UN-affiliated body responsible for accrediting human rights institutions worldwide. This initiative resulted in a historic decision to launch a special review of the Canadian Human Rights Commission's accreditation.
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Additionally, Nicholas led a formal complaint to the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, drawing attention to the systemic discrimination within Canada’s public institutions.
At the Third Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent, Nicholas convened the Global Strategic Litigation and Advocacy event in Geneva, Switzerland, with delegates from 25 countries. This initiative led to the establishment of the Global Litigation and Advocacy Network to unite legal experts, activists, and communities worldwide to leverage strategic litigation and advocacy to combat systemic discrimination against people of African descent, secure reparations, and foster systemic change.
Professional Credentials
Nicholas is a certified human rights consultant at the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights and a graduate of the Canada Labour College in labor studies. He has also earned certificates from the University of Sheffield in Crime, Justice, and Society, and from the University of Strathclyde in Journalism in the UK. His professional credentials are further strengthened by specialized in representing workers, in Governance, Laws and Policies, Political and Social Activism, Employment Equity, Anti-harassment Training, Advanced Representation, and Leadership for Movement Building.
Awards
Nicholas’s commitment to social justice and equity has been recognized with numerous awards, including:
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Bob Marley Humanitarian Award
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Bromley Lloyd Armstrong Award
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Activist of the Year Award
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Union Leadership Award
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Impact Award
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Social Justice Leadership Award
These accolades reflect his unwavering dedication to advancing civil rights and his impactful work both in Canada and internationally.
Personal Life and Community Involvement
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Nicholas’s family life remains a cornerstone of his identity. As a father of three, his commitment to family values deeply influences his work. He actively supports his alma mater, Morvant Laventille Secondary School, focusing on at-risk youth, and is a proud supporter of the Morvant Oilbirds Basketball Team. His dedication to uplifting the less fortunate in Trinidad and Tobago through sports and education exemplifies his commitment to positive change and empowerment.
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Nicholas Marcus Thompson's ongoing dedication to social justice and equality continues to inspire and lead the charge for a more inclusive and equitable society. His journey from Trinidad and Tobago to becoming a global advocate for human rights exemplifies the profound impact one individual can have in the relentless pursuit of justice.