Question Period Note: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

What is the Government of Canada doing to address sexual harassment in the workplace?

*The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring federally-regulated workplaces, including Parliament and federal institutions, are free from harassment and sexual violence.

*Moreover, the Government of Canada is dedicated to supporting those individuals who experience sexual harassment in these workplaces.

*When in force, recent changes to the Canada Labour Code will require employers in federally-regulated workplaces to include harassment and violence policy as part of their prevention activities. These employers will also have to report on incidents brought to their attention.

According to Statistics Canada’s General Social Survey, 19% of women and 13% of men report experiencing harassment in the workplace (based on 2016 data). Women are more likely (4%) than men (1%) to report sexual harassment at work.

Indigenous women were nearly three times more likely than non-Indigenous women to report having been sexually harassed at work. Bisexual and lesbian women were three times more likely than heterosexual women to report such experiences.

On October 25, 2018, Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1, (the "Act") received Royal Assent. The Act will, among other things, amend the Canada Labour Code (the "Code") and expand the obligations of federally regulated employers, particularly in relation to workplace harassment and violence.

The Act is not yet in force. The Government of Canada has stated that it intends to bring the Act into force within two years following Royal Assent.

Bill C-65 is intended to simplify the patchwork of policies and processes that previously existed in regards to workplace harassment in Parliament and federal institutions.

Bill C-65 defines harassment and violence as any action, conduct or comment, including of a sexual nature that can reasonably be expected to cause offence, humiliation or other physical or psychological injury or illness to an employee, including any prescribed action, conduct or comment.

In response to Bill C-65, the Government of Canada established the Centre of Diversity, Inclusion, and Wellness within the public service. As part of its mandate, the centre will better support public servants in dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace.

The Department has been collaborating with Statistics Canada to develop three new national surveys on experiences of gender-based violence, including sexual harassment in the workplace. Data collection for the Survey on Sexual Misconducts at Work is expected to begin in 2020. The data will be released in 2021.

None