Petition for Investigation and Reform at The Well: Ensuring Safe and Accountable Spaces

Recent signers:
Barry Lawrence and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

This petition is addressed to the general public, as well as businesses operating in conjunction or proximity to The Well Bar Restaurant , as a means to spread awareness regarding allegations of misconduct, mistreatment, harassment and neglect of former employees and patrons of the establishment. This petition calls to action the necessity for an inquiry into the allegations utilizing the appropriate channels (ie. Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission, Downtown London BIA).

It has come to public attention that recent allegations of sexual assault, workplace safety concerns and a growing number of complaints are being filed against The Well for misconduct and negligence. Due to several public inquiries, it is our civic duty to hold this corporation accountable and responsible for responding to the public and to present transparency for the accusations thereof. This petition is the result of the culmination of many complaints; some that are publicly known and others which are being privately investigated. Despite internal reviews regarding these allegations, no public statement has been made, and those representing The Well Restaurant Bar are engaging in harassment and intimidation tactics in lieu of addressing the problems. This petition is an effort to draw awareness to the glaring problems the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are facing at the hands of this corporation and those representing it. Additionally, this petition serves as a statistical record that illustrates the practices of The Well Restaurant Bar as a business, as directed to potential patrons of the establishment, or surrounding businesses. If you, or someone you know has been the target of a victimization either directly or through blatant complicity at any of the locations of this establishment, you are entitled to justice and transparency. It is essential that we as a community stand with the victims of this corporation and continue to petition for an equitable solution to a glaring problem. Our community is less safe because of the actions and inaction of this corporation and those who represent it. We must reclaim and decolonize safe spaces if we are to create an equitable future for the generations to come after us.

We, the undersigned, petition for immediate action regarding serious concerns surrounding the workplace practices and safety standards at The Well Restaurant Bar. On behalf of all current and future employees, patrons, and victims, we request the following measures be implemented to address these issues and to ensure that The Well Restaurant Bar operates as a safe, ethical, and lawful establishment:

1. Independent Investigation into Internal Policies and Practices
We demand a comprehensive investigation into the current internal policies, practices, and management operations at The Well Restaurant Bar. This investigation should assess all facets of the business, from workplace safety to treatment of employees, and should be carried out by an impartial third-party organization.

2. Mandatory Education for Staff and Crew on Workplace Safety and Sexual Assault Prevention
We call for mandatory, ongoing training for all staff and crew members, with a focus on workplace safety, sexual harassment, and sexual assault prevention. This training should be designed to ensure that all employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, report, and prevent any form of harassment or misconduct in the workplace.

3. Creation of a More Structured System of Accountability (Including Human Resources)
We urge the establishment of a formal, transparent system of accountability, including the immediate creation or improvement of a Human Resources department with clear reporting mechanisms for addressing complaints. Employees must have access to a secure and confidential process for reporting any violations or misconduct, with timely investigations and resolutions.

4. Internal Audit on Food, Labour, and Liquor Licenses
We request a thorough internal audit of The Well Restaurant Bar's compliance with all relevant local and federal regulations, including but not limited to food safety standards, labour laws, and liquor licensing. It is critical that the establishment is operating lawfully and ethically in all aspects of its business.

5. Background Checks for Employees in Key Roles
We demand that comprehensive background checks be conducted for all employees in positions that involve direct interaction with customers, including managerial roles, security personnel, and anyone with access to sensitive information. Where possible, these background checks should be enforced to ensure the safety and well-being of all patrons and staff members.

---

We stand united in the belief that all individuals, whether employees or patrons, deserve to work and socialize in an environment that is free from harassment, exploitation, and abuse. It is imperative that The Well Restaurant Bar take swift and meaningful action to address these concerns and implement the changes necessary to restore public trust and create a safer, more accountable workplace.

We respectfully request that management, ownership, and all relevant parties give serious consideration to the points outlined in this petition and take immediate steps toward meaningful reform.

We strongly encourage you to sign this petition demanding accountability as well as sharing your experiences at the bottom of this petition as to why you signed this. Your voices matter & experiences matter!

Please also email this petition (copy & paste) and send to the following so our voices are heard:

City of London Business Licencing: licensing@london.ca

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario: customer.service@agco.ca

City of Hamilton Mayor: mayor@hamilton.ca

City of Hamilton Councillors: ward1@hamilton.ca; Ward2@hamilton.ca; ward3@hamilton.ca; ward4@hamilton.ca; ward5@hamilton.ca; ward6@hamilton.ca; ward7@hamilton.ca; ward8@hamilton.ca; ward9@hamilton.ca; ward10@hamilton.ca; ward11@hamilton.ca; ward12@hamilton.ca; ward13@hamilton.ca; ward13@hamilton.ca; ward14@hamilton.ca; ward15@hamilton.ca

MPP Hamilton: SJama-QP@ola.org

City of London Mayor:  mayor@london.ca

City of London Councillors: hmcalister@london.ca; slewis@london.ca; pcuddy@london.ca; sstevenson@london.ca; jpribil@london.ca; strosow@london.ca; crahman@london.ca; slehman@london.ca; ahopkins@london.ca; pvanmeerbergen@london.ca; sfranke@london.ca; epeloza@london.ca; dferreira@london.ca; shillier@london.ca

MPP London: TKernaghan-QP@ndp.on.ca

avatar of the starter
Queer CollectivePetition StarterA concerned group of individuals that what safety and accountability for the queer and trans community.

961

Recent signers:
Barry Lawrence and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

This petition is addressed to the general public, as well as businesses operating in conjunction or proximity to The Well Bar Restaurant , as a means to spread awareness regarding allegations of misconduct, mistreatment, harassment and neglect of former employees and patrons of the establishment. This petition calls to action the necessity for an inquiry into the allegations utilizing the appropriate channels (ie. Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ontario Alcohol and Gaming Commission, Downtown London BIA).

It has come to public attention that recent allegations of sexual assault, workplace safety concerns and a growing number of complaints are being filed against The Well for misconduct and negligence. Due to several public inquiries, it is our civic duty to hold this corporation accountable and responsible for responding to the public and to present transparency for the accusations thereof. This petition is the result of the culmination of many complaints; some that are publicly known and others which are being privately investigated. Despite internal reviews regarding these allegations, no public statement has been made, and those representing The Well Restaurant Bar are engaging in harassment and intimidation tactics in lieu of addressing the problems. This petition is an effort to draw awareness to the glaring problems the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are facing at the hands of this corporation and those representing it. Additionally, this petition serves as a statistical record that illustrates the practices of The Well Restaurant Bar as a business, as directed to potential patrons of the establishment, or surrounding businesses. If you, or someone you know has been the target of a victimization either directly or through blatant complicity at any of the locations of this establishment, you are entitled to justice and transparency. It is essential that we as a community stand with the victims of this corporation and continue to petition for an equitable solution to a glaring problem. Our community is less safe because of the actions and inaction of this corporation and those who represent it. We must reclaim and decolonize safe spaces if we are to create an equitable future for the generations to come after us.

We, the undersigned, petition for immediate action regarding serious concerns surrounding the workplace practices and safety standards at The Well Restaurant Bar. On behalf of all current and future employees, patrons, and victims, we request the following measures be implemented to address these issues and to ensure that The Well Restaurant Bar operates as a safe, ethical, and lawful establishment:

1. Independent Investigation into Internal Policies and Practices
We demand a comprehensive investigation into the current internal policies, practices, and management operations at The Well Restaurant Bar. This investigation should assess all facets of the business, from workplace safety to treatment of employees, and should be carried out by an impartial third-party organization.

2. Mandatory Education for Staff and Crew on Workplace Safety and Sexual Assault Prevention
We call for mandatory, ongoing training for all staff and crew members, with a focus on workplace safety, sexual harassment, and sexual assault prevention. This training should be designed to ensure that all employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, report, and prevent any form of harassment or misconduct in the workplace.

3. Creation of a More Structured System of Accountability (Including Human Resources)
We urge the establishment of a formal, transparent system of accountability, including the immediate creation or improvement of a Human Resources department with clear reporting mechanisms for addressing complaints. Employees must have access to a secure and confidential process for reporting any violations or misconduct, with timely investigations and resolutions.

4. Internal Audit on Food, Labour, and Liquor Licenses
We request a thorough internal audit of The Well Restaurant Bar's compliance with all relevant local and federal regulations, including but not limited to food safety standards, labour laws, and liquor licensing. It is critical that the establishment is operating lawfully and ethically in all aspects of its business.

5. Background Checks for Employees in Key Roles
We demand that comprehensive background checks be conducted for all employees in positions that involve direct interaction with customers, including managerial roles, security personnel, and anyone with access to sensitive information. Where possible, these background checks should be enforced to ensure the safety and well-being of all patrons and staff members.

---

We stand united in the belief that all individuals, whether employees or patrons, deserve to work and socialize in an environment that is free from harassment, exploitation, and abuse. It is imperative that The Well Restaurant Bar take swift and meaningful action to address these concerns and implement the changes necessary to restore public trust and create a safer, more accountable workplace.

We respectfully request that management, ownership, and all relevant parties give serious consideration to the points outlined in this petition and take immediate steps toward meaningful reform.

We strongly encourage you to sign this petition demanding accountability as well as sharing your experiences at the bottom of this petition as to why you signed this. Your voices matter & experiences matter!

Please also email this petition (copy & paste) and send to the following so our voices are heard:

City of London Business Licencing: licensing@london.ca

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario: customer.service@agco.ca

City of Hamilton Mayor: mayor@hamilton.ca

City of Hamilton Councillors: ward1@hamilton.ca; Ward2@hamilton.ca; ward3@hamilton.ca; ward4@hamilton.ca; ward5@hamilton.ca; ward6@hamilton.ca; ward7@hamilton.ca; ward8@hamilton.ca; ward9@hamilton.ca; ward10@hamilton.ca; ward11@hamilton.ca; ward12@hamilton.ca; ward13@hamilton.ca; ward13@hamilton.ca; ward14@hamilton.ca; ward15@hamilton.ca

MPP Hamilton: SJama-QP@ola.org

City of London Mayor:  mayor@london.ca

City of London Councillors: hmcalister@london.ca; slewis@london.ca; pcuddy@london.ca; sstevenson@london.ca; jpribil@london.ca; strosow@london.ca; crahman@london.ca; slehman@london.ca; ahopkins@london.ca; pvanmeerbergen@london.ca; sfranke@london.ca; epeloza@london.ca; dferreira@london.ca; shillier@london.ca

MPP London: TKernaghan-QP@ndp.on.ca

avatar of the starter
Queer CollectivePetition StarterA concerned group of individuals that what safety and accountability for the queer and trans community.

The Decision Makers

Ontario Ministers of Labour
Ontario Ministers of Labour

Supporter Voices

Petition Updates