Backgrounder: Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund

Since 2019, the Government of Canada has invested $3.5 million annually in projects that will help create safer workplaces for federally regulated employees. Through the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund, partner organizations receive funding to co-develop sector-specific tools and resources that address these workplace issues. Approaches could include behavioural changes, education and guidance, and mandatory training. These projects will help workplaces comply with the Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations and legislation, in force since January 2021, to protect employees from harassment and violence in federally regulated workplaces.

Violence & Harassment Awareness, Management and Training for the BC Waterfront

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association received $3,900,200 to launch the project Violence & Harassment Awareness, Management and Training for the BC Waterfront. The project will support workplace parties to address workplace harassment and violence through the development and delivery of training courses that will equip them to prevent and respond to incidents of harassment and violence. The tools and resources developed to support the training will be available for all 8,700 workers, management and foremen personnel hired directly by the terminals. In addition, the tools and resources will focus on populations most at risk of experiencing workplace harassment and violence within the maritime industry, including 2SLGBTQI+ and Indigenous communities.

G’minoomaadozimin (We Are Living Well) – Our Respectful Community

The Nokiiwin Tribal Council received $2,155,967 to launch the project G’minoomaadozimin (We Are Living Well) – Our Respectful Community. The initial phases of the project will focus on providing culturally sensitive tools and resources to all First Nations communities and individuals in Ontario taking steps to comply with the Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations and legislation. The project then aims to expand support to First Nations communities in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The project is performed in collaboration with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, Infrastructure Health and Safety, the Public Health and Safety Association, Workplace Safety North, Ontario Health Clinics for Ontario Workers and the First Nations Safety Council of BC.

Anti-Harassment Training for the Trucking Sector

Trucking HR Canada received $2,676,643 to launch the project Anti-Harassment Training for the Trucking Sector. The project aims to develop and identify appropriate ways for the delivery of anti-harassment/violence training to all management and staff working in the Canadian trucking sector, with the overall goal of reducing workplace incidents of harassment and violence in these federally regulated workplaces. Activities include train the trainer sessions in each province, along with pilot training sessions.

Implementation and upgrade of practices related to Bill C-65

UNI Financial Cooperation (previously Caisse Populaire Acadienne Ltée) received $182,500 to launch the project Implementation and Upgrade of Practices Related to Bill C-65. Since research has shown that occupational training is most effective when scenarios and activities are related to the specific workplace of the participants, the main goal of the project is to develop organization-specific occupational health and safety training, and more specifically, training on harassment and violence prevention. The Cooperation will educate its staff, managers and union representatives across 15 work locations, establish multiple working committees and develop a platform with technical tools accessible to all staff.

Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace through Collaboration

The Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children at Western University received $2,164,547 to launch the project Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace through Collaboration. Stigma is the primary reason why employees do not inform their employer of situations of domestic violence that may impact the workplace, even posing a risk to others in some cases. Therefore, the main goal of the project is to ensure that workers, unions and employers are able to respond effectively to harassment and violence associated with domestic violence that finds its way into the workplace by providing tools to help everyone do what they can to support those who are in these terrible situations. The project will contribute to the physical and psychological health and safety of employees in federally regulated workplaces and beyond.

Research & Training for Vulnerable Workers Experiencing Sexual Violence

The Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children received $991,085 to launch the project Research & Training for Vulnerable Workers Experiencing Sexual Violence. It consists of a one-stop online platform that will provide tools and resources for vulnerable and precarious workers experiencing workplace sexual harassment and violence. The online platform has the capacity to expand and make available a plethora of resources related to workplace health and safety. Partners include the Canadian Women’s Foundation, #AfterMeToo movement, Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications, Canadian Labour Congress and the University of Toronto.

Roadmap to Future Workplaces

The Canadian Women’s Foundation received $3,386,696 to launch the project Roadmap to Future Workplaces. To be performed in collaboration with #AfterMeToo movement and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, one of the project’s goals is to create and provide robust, sector-specific education on legal rights and procedures through digital and in-person training for employees. Together with union and corporate leadership, the project will create customized action plans to help companies tackle the policies and cultures that allow workplace sexual harassment. The goal of this collaboration is to transform workplaces into transparent, accountable and safe environments that are free from harassment and violence. The project will be housed on Rosa, a one-stop online platform that will centralize laws and reporting forms and provide tools and resources for vulnerable workers in federally regulated industries.

Funding amounts are subject to change. Grants and contributions agreements are disclosed on the proactive disclosure webpage.