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.

“Sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable and the harms are all too real for those who experience it. As we celebrate Human Rights Day today, I am pleased to announce the Government of Canada’s support for the Yukon Human Rights Commission’s work to address and end sexual harassment in Yukon workplaces. We all have a role to ensure that our workplaces are safe and healthy for everyone.”

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

“The Yukon Human Rights Commission looks forward to initiating meaningful, responsive, and beneficial programming to address sexual harassment in the workplace with financial support from the Government of Canada. This partnership will contribute to the mutual goal of creating safer workplaces that are accountable and inclusive, and is consistent with the Commission's mandate to promote rights and dignity for all Yukoners through public education and enforcement of the Yukon Human Rights Act.”

Vida M. Nelson
Acting Director, Yukon Human Rights Commission

• Today’s announcement is part of Budget 2018’s $50 million over five years of funding to address sexual harassment in the workplace. Of this amount, $25 million is dedicated to organizations so that they can increase their ability to provide legal advice and information to support complainants of sexual harassment in the workplace. Another $25 million is dedicated to organizations to enable them to provide public legal education and information to workers. Through these initiatives, the Government of Canada is helping organizations assist complainants and take a stand against sexual harassment in the workplace.

• 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. Women were more likely to report sexual harassment in their workplaces.

• 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.

Associated links

• What is sexual harassment?
• Yukon Human Rights Commission
• Budget 2018

For more information, media may contact:

Rachel Rappaport
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-6568
Rachel.rappaport@justice.gc.ca

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

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