PROC Committee Report

42^nd Parliament, First Session

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE

The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

has the honour to present its

FORTY-SECOND REPORT

Review of the Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Commons: Sexual Harassment

Pursuant to its mandate Standing Order 108(3)(a)(ix) and section 51 of Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Commons: Sexual Harassment (“the Code”),[1]
the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (“the Committee”) undertook a review of the Code.

During its consideration of the matter, the Committee heard from Mr. Pierre Parent, Chief Human Resources Officer, House of Commons. The Committee wishes to thank Mr. Parent for his invaluable assistance during its study and for his diligence and competence in carrying out his functions under the Code.

Following its review, the Committee recommends that the Code, which is an appendix to the Standing Orders of the House of Commons, be amended as follows:

That the Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Commons: Sexual Harassment be amended by adding the following after section 19(2):

Marginal note: Informing Whip(s)

19(3) Upon receipt of a formal complaint, the CHRO shall inform the Whip of the complainant and the Whip of the respondent and provide them with a copy of the complaint.

That the Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Commons: Sexual Harassment be amended by renumbering section 20 as section 20(1).

That the Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Commons: Sexual Harassment be amended by adding the following after new section 20(1):

20(2) The investigator may determine to adjust the scope of the investigation when some or all of the facts are not in dispute.

That the Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Commons: Sexual Harassment be amended by replacing section 28(3) with the following:

Marginal note: Additional remedies

28(3) If the disciplinary action proposed by the Whip under subsection (1) is not satisfactory to the complainant or the respondent, as the case may be, the complainant or the respondent may suggest a further course of disciplinary action to the CHRO within 15 days of being informed under subsection 28(2).

That the Clerk of the House be authorized to make any required editorial and consequential alterations to the Standing Orders, provided that the Clerk of the House inform the Committee, in writing, of any editorial and consequential alterations they make.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting Nos. 68, 69 and 75) is tabled.

Respectfully submitted,

Hon. Larry Bagnell

Chair