Afghan-Canadian combat advisers launch discrimination suit against Department of National Defence [Video]

Former military language and cultural advisers — who at times carried out some of the most difficult and dangerous assignments of Canada’s war in Afghanistan — are now suing the federal government for discrimination over the alleged failure to properly train and take care of them following their service alongside combat troops, CBC News has learned.

A statement of claim was filed on May 30 in Ontario Superior Court on behalf of 30 of the men — Canadian citizens of Afghan origin — who were recruited by the Defence Department to help the army on the ground during the brutal Kandahar campaign.

The federal government was served notice of the $50 million discrimination suit last Thursday.

Known by the acronym LCAs, the advisers were tasked with helping commanders and troops overcome language and cultural barriers. But they also conducted dangerous intelligence gathering on the Taliban, warned of attacks and eavesdropped …