Canada’s Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr., visited the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children at Western University today, emphasizing the Government’s commitment to creating safer, harassment-free workplaces. The Centre recently received funding from the Government’s Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund (WHVP).
During his tour, Minister O’Regan learned about the Centre’s upcoming project that aims to develop specialized resources and training for union leaders and representatives. This initiative is designed to better inform employees of their rights and create environments free from harassment and violence. The project will be a collaborative effort involving FETCO, the Canadian Labour Congress, and experts in the field of workplace harassment and violence prevention, as well as Francophone representatives from Quebec.
“No one should have to choose between feeding their family and being safe at work,” said Minister O’Regan, highlighting the importance of the project and the Government’s ongoing initiatives to foster more inclusive work environments.
The visit underscores Canada’s larger commitment to improving workplace safety, illustrated by the ratification of the International Labour Organization’s Convention 190, the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019. It also builds on efforts like projects funded through the Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program.
Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre, added, “Supporting organizations like the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children here at Western is how we build the workplaces workers need and deserve.”
The WHVP, launched in 2019, provides $3.5 million annually to support projects aimed at creating safer work environments. As part of a recent call for concepts, the Government selected seven multi-year projects to receive over $10.7 million in funding over the next three fiscal years.
The Canada Labour Code’s Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations also provide a comprehensive framework for addressing a range of harassment and violence issues, offering added protection to employees in federally regulated workplaces.
Additionally, over the next three years, the Government plans to allocate more than $9.5 million through the WORBE program for initiatives that aim to dismantle employment barriers for women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.
Barb MacQuarrie, Community Director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women & Children at Western University, lauded the collective responsibility and collaboration involved in tackling workplace harassment and violence. “Collaborative learning with our union and employer partners reinforces the collective responsibility we share,” she said.
The WHVP and WORBE programs represent part of a broader strategy aimed at creating a culture of safety and respect in Canadian workplaces, in alignment with the Government’s commitment to eliminating harassment and violence.
