FREE SPEECH REPORT
- In the wake of the government’s requirement for institutional free speech policies, has there been ongoing debate or dialogue on campus with regard to freedom of speech?
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FREE SPEECH REPORT
INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE & POLICIES
- In the wake of the government’s requirement for institutional free speech policies, has there been ongoing debate or dialogue on campus with regard to freedom of speech?
As of October, 2020, there has been no ongoing dialogue in regards to free speech other than refinement and continued implementation of the Policy of Upholding Free Speech.
- Have institutional practices changed as a result of the free speech policy? For example, has the new free speech policy led to a re-examination or amendment of other institutional policies?
Northern College continues to approach Free Speech from a cultural perspective, in alignment with practices utilized prior to this policy. Free speech is accepted, utilized and promoted at Northern College.
- Have any issues emerged that would cause you to re-evaluate or amend your existing policy?
Since its introduction, the Free Speech policy has not led to any additional policy review, but aspects of its adoption have been utilized to support existing policies such as the conflict resoultion policy for events that Northern College has in place.
- Provide an estimate of the number of non-curriculum events that have been held at the institution since January 1, 2020.
The four campuses of Northern College host various non-curriculum events throughout the year. Example of events held at the campuses would be open houses, education and career fairs, orientation, town hall meetings, professional development activities, guest speakers, Indigenous events, Board of Governor’s meetings, along with federal and provincial govern ment announcements. Our campuses of Moosonee, Kirkland Lake, Haileybury and Timmins would have hosted 5 non-curriculum events during the reporting period.
FREE SPEECH REPORT
Northern College campuses allow for external parties to rent facilities for events. These events would be hosted by athletic organizations and associations, corporate industry, education, not for profit agencies, municipal government and agencies, concerts, and weddings.
Since January 1, 2020 Northern College has hosted approximately 5 events on our campuses for external parties.
- Is there a designated office at the institution where members of the institutional community or guests are directed when there is a free speech related question or complaint about an event on campus?
Free Speech related questions or complaints would be directed to our Campus Managers. Complaints would be recorded under the Northern College Incident Management system, if a complaint were to arise, and remained unresolved it may be referred to the Ontario Ombuds man.
- How did your institution navigate free speech related costs and/or safety concerns related to events on campus? To your knowledge, were there any instances where a non-curriculum event did not proceed due to these concerns?
There have been no free speech related costs and/or safety concerns at Northern College. All non-curriculum events have proceeded without any issues, concerns or complaints.
- Have any organized campus events or incidents on campus - curricular or non-curricular caused members of the institutional community or guests to make an official complaint about free speech on campus?
Northern College has received no complaints for this reporting period.
I attest to the above statements to be true and correct to my knowledge.
Signed:
Dr. Audrey J. Penner President & CEO Northern College September 30, 2020
Dr. Audrey J. Pe/nner
Source: https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/Free-Speech-Annual-Report-2020.pdf