Evidence of meeting #89 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was policy.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Karine Trudel NDP Jonquière, QC
We have heard some pretty moving testimony from survivors. According to you, Mr. Parent or Mr. Robert, what possibilities are available to our interns or volunteers?
We are members, and people often come to lend us a hand or to gain work experience. But those individuals are not paid. Can they also use the services provided by the House of Commons?
Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons
Absolutely. The policy also applies to them, as if they were employees. It's a matter of reaching out to them to let them know that the resources exist and that they can use them. There are no issues in that regard, since volunteers and interns are specifically covered by the policy.
NDP
Karine Trudel NDP Jonquière, QC
You brought up the occupational health and safety committee. Our committee has heard stakeholders talk about the fact that the bill was leaving them out and that it would be beneficial to have an occupational health and safety committee. That actually concerns both the employer and the workers. In addition, it creates a climate of trust, which further encourages people to file a complaint.
So I would like to know whether you think an occupational health and safety committee is essential.
Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons
I won't comment specifically on the way the legislation will apply, but we have our own committees, be it for occupational health and safety or for labour and management issues. So it is not harmful to have those committees.
I think that, I would keep those committees going even if we had no legal obligation in that area. The occupational health and safety policy I talked about in my presentation has been used as a labour code in our case. It was developed with the help of this committee and under its authority. So it is a good example of what a committee can do.
Director General, Business Support Services, Library of Parliament
Yes. We also have a committee that helps develop draft outlines of a policy. We are a small organization. The committee obviously does not handle specific cases for confidentiality reasons. That said, I think it is important for the committee to participate in policy development.
We consult unions and employees about what is happening in the workplace. However, we do not discuss specific cases in order to protect confidentiality.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
Thank you.
That's the end of the second round. We have enough time before we must break for committee business for one question from each side. We're going to keep it to about four minutes.
Ms. Fortier.
Liberal
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank the witnesses for being here today.
Our committee is trying to figure out how to improve this bill, as required. Do you have any amendments to propose? Now is the time to share them with us.
I ask you to be brief, as I know that Ms. Damoff also has a question for you.
Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons
My answer will be very short.
Right now, we have no suggestions. Once Bill C-65 receives royal assent, we will adapt to it. Our internal processes are solid enough to help us going forward. So I don't have any specific concerns.
Liberal
Director General, Business Support Services, Library of Parliament
We have no specific amendments to propose either. What matters to us is what the bill will continue to offer employees.
They have different avenues to either lodge a complaint or to discuss conflict. For us, that is what really works.
Liberal
Director General, Business Support Services, Library of Parliament
Yes, that would be very important for us.
Liberal
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
That's what you want to see in the bill. Great.
Ms. Damoff can take the rest of my time.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
In terms of sexual harassment, there's been a lot in the news, and we know that it's been an issue in members' offices—some members' offices, not all—for years, for decades.
Based on what's in Bill C-65, do you see this legislation changing people's ability to come forward? Will it make it easier for someone in that position? The issue before has been their fear of retribution. Putting aside all the training and things you're doing outside of the legislation, do you see this legislation assisting in that process?
Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons
It's a difficult question to answer.
We're monitoring Bill C-65. Unfortunately, the regulations are not drafted, so it's difficult to see the final effect of Bill C-65.
Fear of retribution depends on the structure, and that is why I go back to the structure of members' offices. If I go back to your reality, it concerns the structure of your offices. They are small offices, whereas in a bigger environment, in a corporate environment, you feel a bit more secure.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
You mentioned that you're dealing with 338 small businesses.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
What you're dealing with in the House, in general, is one thing. But to deal with 338, of which maybe three are bad employers, and the rest are good... The problem in the past was that when people did come forward, either action wasn't taken against their employer or it was shoved under the rug. That's always the fear of someone coming forward, that they won't be able to find a job.
What recourse would they have?
Clerk of the House of Commons
It's actually too difficult to answer at this stage.
If you were talking about the past, there would have been cases, one would assume, where because of the power relationship, the complaint was not raised. What we're trying to do, I suspect, through this legislation, is to create an environment where, if abuse is taking place, the process is robust enough to encourage someone to actually come forward.
Liberal
Conservative
Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC
I also want to thank you for coming to meet with us this afternoon.
Mr. Clerk, you said that this was a challenge for you and for us, the politicians. I understand that you are sort of walking on eggshells. On the one hand, you have a politician and their reputation, which is very precious, and on the other hand, you have a complainant you want to protect.
Mr. Parent, you said you were a fan of mediation. According to the legislation, if the mediation does not work, an independent investigator is brought in.
Have you ever recommended independent investigators in members' cases?