Federal Government Introduces New Amendments to the Canada Labour Code to Address Workplace Violence and Harassment

The Federal Government has recently introduced 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, which provides for significant changes in how federally-regulated workplaces must address workplace violence and harassment. Bill C-65 follows a year-long public consultation commissioned by the Ministry of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour that concluded that harassment and violence in workplaces is underreported and not dealt with effectively when reported. Bill C-65 seeks to enhance the current legislative framework, which was originally intended to apply to workplace accidents and did not apply to the public service nor to employees on Parliament Hill.