In Canada, all individuals have the right to a safe workplace with fair treatment for all. Sexual harassment impacts the health and well-being of those involved, as well as their ability to perform their jobs to the best of their ability.

“Everyone should have the right to a workplace free of sexual harassment. It is essential that we increase support for victims of workplace sexual harassment and access to justice across Ontario and across Canada. I am proud that our government’s support will empower these 20 legal clinics, to make a substantial difference in the lives of individuals who experience sexual harassment in their workplace.”

The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

“The 20 Ontario Community Legal Clinics involved in this project are very pleased to be selected to deliver this important program, which seeks to ensure a safe workspace for all workers. Community Legal Clinics are uniquely situated to be able to carry out this vital work. First, they have expertise in developing and delivering public legal education and information, and in giving legal advice. And second, Community Legal Clinics are locally based, and as such, they can tailor their materials and delivery towards workers, workplaces and the types of employment that are found in their own community.” 

Lois Cromarty, Executive Director
The Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland

• The Canada Labour Code defines sexual harassment as any conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature that is likely to cause offence or humiliation to any employee or that might, on reasonable grounds, be perceived by that employee as placing a condition of a sexual nature on employment or on any opportunity for training or promotion. This federal definition applies to federally-regulated workplaces.

• In 2018, Statistics Canada released a study on all forms of harassment in Canadian workplaces. Statistics Canada found 19% of women and 13% of men reported that they had experienced harassment in their workplace.

• In 2016, 48% of workers in Canada were women (Statistics Canada, 2017), and in a survey conducted by Employment and Social Development Canada in 2017, 94% of respondents who reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace were women.

Related products

• Addressing workplace sexual harassment

Associated links

• Public Legal Education and Information (PLEI) – Workplace Sexual Harassment Component
• Legal Aid Program – Workplace Sexual Harassment Component
• Harassment and sexual violence in the workplace-Public consultations What we heard
• Sexual Harassment
• Budget 2018

For more information, media may contact:

David Taylor
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
David.taylor@justice.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207
media@justice.gc.ca