New Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations Involving Defence Team Public Service Employees

Here you will find information regarding the latest regulations on workplace harassment and violence prevention within the Department of National Defence (DND), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the rest of the federal public service.

To strengthen the policies that keep our employees safe, the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations (WHVPR), under the Canada Labour Code Part II, came into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. The new, stand-alone Regulations replace the existing Prevention of Violence framework outlined in the Canada Occupational Health and Safety (COHS) Regulations. The Regulations, strengthens provisions in the Canada Labour Code by putting in place one comprehensive approach that takes all forms of harassment and violence into consideration. The Regulations supersede previous policy and mechanisms in place until 31 Dec 2020.

They apply to all DND Public Service employees and Canadian Armed Forces members (CAF members) involved in an occurrence with a DND employee, or any person granted access to the workplace. The VCDS has been tasked with addressing the potential changes to the CAF harassment policies and programs. For now, DAOD 5012-0 Harassment Prevention and Resolution, and the Harassment Prevention and Resolution Instructions (PDF, 625 KB) (accessible only on the National Defence network), will continue to apply when occurrences only involves CAF members.

A working group will be stood up to conduct a holistic review of the CAF harassment and violence framework in order to modernize and align where possible with the new WHVPR. The working group will also be tasked with looking at opportunities to streamline and align existing interrelated mechanisms and programs.

Existing CAF programs, preventative measures, and support will remain in place to keep our Defence Team workplace free from physical and psychological harm.

Harassment and violence in the workplace, in any form, will not be tolerated. With that in mind, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, along with all federal government employers, are committed to creating a workplace free of harassment and violence where all employees are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

How do I report harassment and violence?

For Public Service Employees

Speak to your manager or supervisor as soon as possible or you may submit a “Notice of Occurrence” form (form can be downloaded, filled out, and emailed to your manager or supervisor, who will respond within 7 days). Alternatively, you may notify the Designated Recipient verbally by calling 1-833-451-1604 for a secure voicemail box or you may submit the new “Notice of Occurrence” form by email to DesignatedRecipientHVP-DestinataireDesignedelaPHV@forces.gc.ca. If the occurrence involves your supervisor or manager, you must submit the Notice of Occurrence to the Designated Recipient.

For CAF Members

Unless you have been involved in an occurrence with a Public Service employee, DAOD 5012-0 Harassment Prevention and Resolution, and the Harassment Prevention and Resolution Instructions (PDF, 625 KB) (accessible only on the National Defence network), will continue to apply. If you are involved in an occurrence with a Public Service employee, the above submission process is applicable.

Bill C-65 overview https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/C-65/royal-assent 

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