Yes. Mr. Adler said, in reference to NDP-7, that it could have the unintended consequence of prohibiting volunteers in the federal sphere. He also said in respect to NDP-3 that we could leave it all to regulations, “It is expected that...protections related to sexual harassment...will be provided to unpaid interns through these regulations. The regulations will be put in place as quickly as possible.” I believe those were his exact words.
I think we are doing a huge disservice to our young people by saying just wait, we'll bring in regulations. Why can't they enjoy the same kind of protections as other Canadian workers? I don't get it. Why should they not have this kind of clear, statutory protection. Not regulations that can be changed at the whim of the Governor in Council.
I'm not making this up, Chair. We know what happened to Mr. Ferguson who died when he didn't have these kinds of protections. I know that sexual harassment has been the subject of the Canadian Intern Association's testimony as real and present in our workforce. Why wouldn't we give them that statutory protection? I'm shocked.