Ottawa – The Chair of the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, Senator Sabi Marwah, made the following statement of regret to employees of former senator Don Meredith in the Senate Chamber today on behalf of the committee:

“Honourable colleagues,

Today, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration – or CIBA – unanimously adopted a report of the Subcommittee on Human Resources, regarding harassment experienced by employees of former senator Don Meredith.

The report contains a recommendation that CIBA express its regret for the experiences of employees who were negatively affected by Mr. Meredith’s misconduct.

As Chair of CIBA, I do so now:

Workplace harassment of any kind is unacceptable and has no place in the Senate of Canada. We have heard the experiences of employees in the office of former senator Don Meredith – and, most importantly, we believe them.

Mr. Meredith’s misconduct warrants an unequivocal condemnation from the Senate and from all senators. There is no question that his misconduct failed to uphold the highest standards of dignity of his position, and has adversely affected our institution. Accordingly, it is incumbent on all senators to recognize that what happened to these employees was wrong, that these employees suffered as a direct result of Mr. Meredith’s misconduct and that the processes to address this matter took too long.

To the employees who were impacted: We believe you.

We also acknowledge, fully recognize and profoundly regret the pain and trauma caused by what you endured in the workplace. We want you to know that the Senate is working to prevent what happened to you from happening again. All Senators and all Senate employees must now undergo mandatory anti-harassment training and we have developed a new anti-harassment policy for the Senate.

While the measures we take today won’t change what happened to you, it is our committee’s sincerest hope that no one will have to endure the pain and suffering caused by any kind of harassment while working in service to the Senate of Canada.”

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• For background, please read the committee’s June 25, 2020 news release: https://sencanada.ca/en/newsroom/ciba-senate-committee-to-issue-statement-of-regret-regarding-the-experiences-of-employees-of-former-senator-meredith/

For more information:

Alexandra Scott-Larouche
Public Relations Officer | Senate of Canada
613-614-1180 | media@sen.parl.gc.ca