Ottawa – Senators, staff and members of the Senate Administration should all take workplace harassment prevention training before the end of the fiscal year, the Senate Subcommittee on Human Resources said in its first report, released Thursday and adopted by the Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.

The subcommittee received a mandate to review the Senate Policy on the Prevention and Resolution of Harassment in the Workplace, which was adopted by the Senate in 2009.

Expert witnesses, union and Senate staff representatives gave evidence to the subcommittee during hearings in May and June. In response — and to take a proactive approach to creating a harassment-free working environment — subcommittee members recommend mandatory, customized training in the prevention of harassment and violence in the Senate for all senators, staff and members of the Senate Administration.

The subcommittee will monitor further developments with regard to harassment training that will emerge if Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), becomes law and when related regulatory amendments come into force.

Members will also continue to hold hearings; the evidence gathered will be used as the basis for making recommendations on updating the Senate’s harassment policy.

Quick Facts

• The report recommends that mandatory training for senators and Senate Administration management on the prevention of workplace harassment take place by December 31, 2018.

• The report recommends that senators’ staff and all remaining Senate Administration employees attend mandatory training by March 31, 2019.

• The report recommends that the Human Resources Directorate report back to the Committee on Internal Economy Budgets and Administration on the participation rate by April 30, 2019.

Quotes

“The Senate takes workplace harassment seriously. All senators, staff and members of the administration must feel safe and secure in the workplace — our subcommittee’s report shows that we are committed to ensuring permanent and timely cultural change in the Senate.”

- Senator Raymonde Saint-Germain, Chair of the subcommittee

“It is important to us to reinforce a strong culture of respect in the Senate. Senators, staff and members of the administration work closely together; we all value each other’s contributions to the business of the Senate. We will continue to do everything we can to foster an environment of mutual respect.”

- Senator Scott Tannas, Deputy Chair of the subcommittee

Associated Links

• Read the first report of the Senate Subcommittee on Human Resources.
• Follow the subcommittee on social media using the hashtag #HRRH.
• Sign up for the Senate’s eNewsletter.

For more information, please contact: 
Sonia Noreau
Public Relations Officer
Communications Directorate | Senate of Canada
613-614-1180 | sonia.noreau@sen.parl.gc.ca