Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Federal Government Investigators Reviewed CBC For Labour Code Violations

The Canadian Press, 11 Dec, 2015 10:53 AM
    OTTAWA — Newly released documents show the federal government concluded the CBC didn't break any labour laws months before a critical report detailed how the broadcaster failed to address troubling behaviour by former radio host Jian Ghomeshi.
     
    Federal labour investigators quietly reviewed the CBC for possible labour code violations in November 2014, about one month after the CBC parted ways with the radio host amid allegations of sexually harassment and misconduct in the workplace.
     
    The review itself was short: two questions via email to the CBC about its sexual harassment policies.
     
    An April briefing note to then-labour minister Kellie Leitch said investigators found the answers to the questions showed the CBC was in compliance with the requirements in the Canada Labour Code for employers to protect their workers from sexual harassment of any kind, including inappropriate comments, gestures or contact.
     
    In April, the results of an external review ordered by the CBC found the broadcaster knew about misconduct allegations against Ghomeshi, but did little to stop it.
     
    The report made nine recommendations to prevent similar problems in the future.
     
    CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson said the broadcaster is focused on training, surveys, spot audits, and workplace investigations, among other measures, in response to the Ghomeshi report.
     
    Ghomeshi faces five charges of sexual assault and one charge of overcoming resistance by choking. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Ghomeshi has said he has engaged in rough sex but that it was consensual.
     
     
    Ghomeshi's case returns to court in Toronto on Feb. 1, 2016.
     
    The April briefing note obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act suggests the Ghomeshi affair could have implications for the federal government. Those portions that would explain the source of federal concerns have been blacked out in the document.
     
    The Canadian Press first asked Employment and Social Development Canada about the briefing note and investigation on Tuesday. The department has yet to respond.
     
    The labour wing of Employment and Social Development Canada doesn't investigate individual cases of sexual harassment in the workplace, but can reach into federally-regulated businesses to make sure they are following the labour code.
     
    Those who don't can face sanctions or even prosecution.
     
    The Ghomeshi affair caused enough of a stir inside the department that officials wrote to Leitch that they were ready to target other broadcasters for reviews to make sure the problems at the CBC didn't exist in similar workplaces.
     
    Officials wrote in April that they wanted to have the communications and broadcast industry conduct "proactive self-assessment" investigations to make sure they were meeting their responsibilities about preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.
     
    Those self-assessment reviews are designed to nudge employers into following the law and help the department target those companies that show some deficiencies.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Guy Turcotte Found Guilty Of Second-degree Murder In Deaths Of His Kids

    Guy Turcotte Found Guilty Of Second-degree Murder In Deaths Of His Kids
    The mother of two slain children had a sobering thought after their father was found guilty on Sunday of second-degree murder in their stabbing deaths nearly seven years ago.

    Guy Turcotte Found Guilty Of Second-degree Murder In Deaths Of His Kids

    Homicide Investigators Seek Witnesses In Murder Of Indo-Canadian Field Hockey Player

    Homicide Investigators Seek Witnesses In Murder Of Indo-Canadian Field Hockey Player
    Homicide investigators are looking for any witnesses of a targeted double shooting in Surrey to come forward.

    Homicide Investigators Seek Witnesses In Murder Of Indo-Canadian Field Hockey Player

    Stephen Andrew, Man Convicted For Harming Sex Trade Workers Now Living In Abbotsford

    Stephen Andrew, Man Convicted For Harming Sex Trade Workers Now Living In Abbotsford
    BESZEDES has offended against individuals involved in the sex trade as well as older men soliciting via the internet.

    Stephen Andrew, Man Convicted For Harming Sex Trade Workers Now Living In Abbotsford

    Women Unhurt After Being Pulled From Burning Shelter By Vancouver Police

    Women Unhurt After Being Pulled From Burning Shelter By Vancouver Police
      Police say the officers lifted the tarps and saw two women sleeping, one of whom was wrapped in a burning blanket.

    Women Unhurt After Being Pulled From Burning Shelter By Vancouver Police

    No winning ticket for $50-million jackpot in Friday's Lotto Max draw

    No winning ticket for $50-million jackpot in Friday's Lotto Max draw
    TORONTO — No one has the winning ticket for the $50-million jackpot in Friday night's Lotto Max draw.

    No winning ticket for $50-million jackpot in Friday's Lotto Max draw

    Liberal Government's Throne Speech Promises To Legalize, Regulate, Restrict Pot

    Liberal Government's Throne Speech Promises To Legalize, Regulate, Restrict Pot
    OTTAWA — It has taken more than 40 years but the government of Canada is finally formally committing to legalizing marijuana.

    Liberal Government's Throne Speech Promises To Legalize, Regulate, Restrict Pot