Vancouver hotel issues apology for discriminatory actions of employee

A Vancouver hotel has apologized for the actions of an employee after the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres said one of its members endured a humiliating interaction with the staff member.

The association has posted a letter of apology on its website from the general manager of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Patrick Gosselin.

The letter, dated March 15, says the hotel team “deeply regrets” that the association’s cultural adviser felt discriminated against and it sets out a series of steps to immediately address the association’s concerns.

Those include retaining a cultural adviser to train staff to “understand the larger issue of systemic racism affecting Indigenous people.”

A statement from the association says it welcomes the apology and appreciates the hotel’s decision to reverse all charges related to its decision to cancel a contract for a future event at the Hyatt Regency.