Thank you very much, Chair.
I'd like to take up that last point, because there seems to be some confusion here among members as to what constitutes harassment.
I refer to the code that already exists for harassment and violence in the workplace, appendix A. I find it very thorough. It is clear that harassment may include but is not limited to “offensive or intimidating comments or jokes”. There's a point about abuse of authority, which doesn't apply here, because this has to do with employers and employees. It goes on to list:
spreading malicious rumours or gossip about an individual or group;
cyberbullying (threatening, spreading rumours, or negatively talking to or about someone online or on social media);
socially excluding or isolating someone;
persistently criticizing, undermining, belittling, demeaning or ridiculing a person;
psychological harassment;
I'm picking out the ones that I think are most pertinent to our discussion here today.
sexist remarks;
racist remarks;
homophobic remarks;
transphobic remarks;
verbal threats or intimidation;
making aggressive, threatening or rude gestures.
The first point has to do with management responsibilities, but the second point is very pertinent to our discussion today: harassment is not a disagreement regarding a policy or practice.
I would ask you whether this constitutes a good basis to address this gap in the member-to-member code of conduct, if you will, regarding non-sexual harassment.