Canada: Ontario Employers Have New Workplace Sexual Harassment Obligations

Bill 132, entitled “Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment), 2015” (hereinafter the “Bill”) has now been passed into law in Ontario and will be in force September 8, 2016. The Bill amends various statutes with respect to sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence and other matters. It amends various provisions of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (the “Act”) and creates new obligations for employers surrounding the prevention, training, investigation and resolution of workplace harassment, particularly workplace sexual harassment.