Legal Aid Program – Workplace Sexual Harassment Component

1. Overview

Funding will be available through the Legal Aid Program for the development and implementation of legal information and advice services for individuals impacted by workplace sexual harassment.  

The Legal Aid Program provides contribution funding to the provinces and territories for the delivery of legal aid services for economically disadvantaged persons. The Legal Aid Program’s new Legal Advice for Complainants of Workplace Sexual Harassment component will support organizations that provide legal information and advice to persons who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, regardless of their economic status. 

2. Objectives of the Funding

The objective of this Call for proposals is to fund programs/organizations to provide legal information and advice services to individuals impacted by workplace sexual harassment. Justice seeks to ensure that such services are made available through various means (for example by telephone, on-line, in-person) across each province and territory.

• It is anticipated that there will be one lead service delivery organization in each province and territory; however, proposals for pan-Canadian projects or those spanning more than one province or territory may also be considered.
• The legal information and advice services may be provided by the lead organization itself; through collaborations with other organizations or agencies (i.e. referrals); or in partnership with private sector organizations.
• Organizations that seek to provide services in one region of a province or territory, or to one demographic, are asked to collaborate on proposals with those that seek to provide services in other regions of the province or territory, or to other demographics.
• Workers in low-wage and/or precarious jobs; those who provide personal services (e.g. homecare health aide) or rely on tips; women, especially those who work in male-dominated industries; youth; Indigenous and racialized women; persons with disabilities; those who identify as LGBTQ2S+; and newcomer women may be more vulnerable to workplace sexual harassment. Justice seeks to ensure that legal information and advice services are accessible to particularly vulnerable populations, but also made available to all complainants.
• Preference may be given to organizations that are able to:
  • provide services to multiple populations and are not limited to one demographic group or workers in a particular industry;
  • provide services outside of regular office hours; and
  • provide ancillary services (e.g. counselling, job search assistance) or assist persons in obtaining such services.
• Proposals that phase-in the above services may also be considered.