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����԰AV’s Statement of Commitment – Freedom of Expression 

����԰AV's commitment to Freedom of Expression balances open discussion with the need for a safe environment. The statement prohibits speech violating the law, including the Ontario Human Rights Code, and disallows hate speech and harassment. It provides the framework through which anti-racism and anti-hate measures are included in several ����԰AV policies, including: 

Discrimination/Harassment Policy (Available on Employee and Student Portals) 

• Section 2.4 on page 2: Defines harassment as "vexatious comment or conduct... that disparage or cause humiliation, offense or embarrassment to a person because of race, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin (including language, dialect or accent), citizenship, religion...".
• Section 2.4 on page 2: States that "Systemic harassment/discrimination means policies, practices, procedures, actions or inactions that may appear neutral, but have an adverse impact associated with one of the grounds" of discrimination, including those listed above. 
• Section 2.4 on page 3: Describes the various types of harassment, including sexual harassment, racial or ethnic harassment, disability harassment, and criminal harassment. 
• Section 3 on page 4: Defines the scope and includes States that the College "will not tolerate any discrimination/bullying/personal harassment or other unacceptable conduct as defined in this policy" 

Employee Code of Conduct (available on Employee Portal) 

• Section 1 on page 2: States that "Employees shall demonstrate behaviours that align with ����԰AV values and actively foster a respectful, inclusive, and safe work environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity." 
• Section 5b on page 3: Indicates that employees shall not engage in conduct that "Creates an atmosphere of hostility, intimidation, discrimination, bullying or disrespect for others". 

Student Behavioural Standards Policy 

• Section 4(ix) on page 4: States that students have a right to "participate in Student Organizations, clubs, sports, and other activities without harassment, discrimination, disruption, or acts of violence". 
• Section 5(h) on page 5: Indicates that students have a responsibility to "report behaviour that falls short of these standards, where there may be a risk of harm; a possible violation of these standards, or an impact to the dignity of a fellow community member." 
• Section 6, Level 3 Prohibited Behaviour on page 9: Prohibits, as an example, “Expression that constitutes harassment, a threat, or hate speech”. 
• Section 6, Level 4 Prohibited Behaviour on page 10: Prohibits, as an example, “Harassment or discrimination against an individual or group based on any of the prohibited grounds: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex, sexual orientation, age, record of offences (in employment only), marital status, family status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or receipt of public assistance (in accommodation only) 

Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy and Protocol 

• Section 2 on page 4: States that "Sexual assault and sexual violence are unacceptable and will not be tolerated" and that "the College is expected to be a safer and positive space where members of the College community feel able to work, learn and express themselves in an environment free from sexual violence". The policy also recognizes that sexual violence can occur "regardless of sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity or relationship status as articulated in the Ontario Human Rights Code". 
• Section 2.3 on page 5: Indicates a commitment to "Addressing harmful attitudes and behaviours...that reinforce that the person who experienced sexual violence is somehow to blame for what happened". 
• Section 4.2 on page 7: Specifies that it is contrary to the policy for anyone to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against a complainant or someone associated with a complainant 

Use of College Facilities for Advocacy Purposes (Available on Employee Portal)

• Definitions, Prohibited Conduct (i) on page 2: Prohibits "conduct prohibited by law, including but not limited to criminal conduct, (hate speech, assault, threat, intimidation or property damage)". 
• Appendix A, Step 3(d) on page 7: Notes that "Decisions as to whether to approve a form of Advocacy must be made on a content-neutral basis. The types of expression that are not protected by the Charter are those that are prohibited under the Criminal Code or expression that threatens violence. The Criminal Code prohibits...degrading and dehumanizing pornography and “hate propaganda,” defined as “expression intended or likely to create or circulate extreme feelings of opprobrium and enmity against a racial or religious group”. 

Academic Freedom in Research (Available on Employee Portal)

• Scope, Section 3 on page 1: Identifies intersections between related concepts such as academic freedom/scholarly independence, freedom of speech and expression and anti-racism/ anti-hate and how these principles are operationalized, by accompanying academic freedoms with responsibility to abide by college policies and ethical conduct.