Ontario Campus Free Speech Policy
The Minister of Colleges and Universities announced on August 30, 2018 that publicly funded colleges and universities must by January 1, 2019 develop, implement and comply with a free speech policy that meets the minimum standard set by the minister. The objective of the Ontario Campus Free Speech Policy is to ensure that all colleges and universities have a strong and clear policy that is consistent across institutions.
Regulations under the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, 2005 were amended, requiring HEQCO to research and evaluate how free speech is addressed by postsecondary institutions and provide reports and recommendations to the minister based on the results of its evaluation.
Institutions are required to submit to HEQCO annual reports detailing the implementation of their free speech policies. HEQCO will review and assess each institution’s annual report and provide advice to the minister accordingly. It will also produce a public report that assesses whether institutions are compliant with the minimum standard.