A black woman has filed a complaint of racism against a Burnaby coffee company where she used to work.

Charon Nzuzi Luaka alleged before the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal that racist remarks were made in her presence at the Canterbury Coffee Corporation.

“I don’t want those African immigrants here,” she allegedly heard.

“Muslims are the root of all problems in Canada,” was also allegedly uttered while she was around.

Nzuzi Luaka also claimed hearing that “immigrants aren’t welcome”.

According to her, she was the only black person in the office. She is of African descent.

Morever, Nzuzi Luaka claimed that she was fired from her job as payroll and human resources assistant after she complained about hearing racist comments.

Canterbury Coffee denied that discriminatory comments were made.

The coffee roaster and wholesaler also claimed that Nzuzi Luaka’s position was abolished and merged with another job, and that she was not good enough for the new role.

It was also submitted to the tribunal that witnesses identified by Nzuzi Luaka confirmed a private conversation was overheard.

However, it was claimed that the said overheard discussion was about illegal migrant crossings from the U.S. to Canada.

Canterbury Coffee asked the tribunal to not proceed with the complaint.

However, tribunal member Catherine McCreary didn't find sufficient grounds to grant the application to dismiss.

“I cannot conclude that this is an appropriate case to exercise the Tribunal's discretion to dismiss a complaint prior to a hearing, and I therefore deny the Respondents' application,” McCreary wrote in her reasons for decision dated May 7, 2019.

Nzuzi Luaka started working with Canterbury Coffee in March 2016. Her employment was terminated in October 2017.

"She says that she felt disrespected and that she was powerless in this situation because she is an African immigrant and she says she felt personally attacked," McCreary wrote.