Safe Work Environments for Employees and Members

 

 

February 5, 2018

 

 

 

Kathleen Casey, Chair 

Standing Committee on Rules, Regulations, Private Bills and Privileges

Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, PE

 

Subject: Safe work environment for employees and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island

 

Dear Kathleen,

 

As a proud Member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island and as a woman who supports the brave individuals who have come forward from across our country to speak out about sexual harassment, I ask your Committee to undertake a comprehensive review of sexual harassment and work place violence policies in the Legislative Assembly and make recommendations to ensure a safe work environment for all. 

 

The review should look at ways we can prevent incidents of harassment and violence from occurring, respond effectively to these incidents when they do occur and support victims, survivors and Members in the process. 

 

As part of the review, I would suggest your Committee complete a jurisdictional review and conduct consultations with employees and Members of the Legislative Assembly as well as community organizations who could provide important perspectives on the issue. 

 

I recognize your support and expressed interest in this matter as Chair, and the support of our colleagues, and ask that you put forward to your Committee to take on this initiative as part of its work plan. I am confident that all Members of the Legislative Assembly will support this undertaking. 

 

It is important that this issue be taken seriously and that all employees and Members feel safe and supported in their work place. Now is the time to ensure we recognize our collective responsibility to make this happen. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Hon. Paula Biggar

Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy and the Status of Women