Appendix: Freedom of Speech Annual Report (2023)
As indicated in the December 14, 2018 and September 12, 2018 memos from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, each of Ontario’s publicly-assisted colleges and universities is to prepare an annual report on the implementation of a free speech policy. Please use this template; you may append additional documents or institution-specific information as you see fit.
The institutional Freedom of Speech Annual Report will be a public document and should respect privacy obligations. Please report on events or incidents that took place between August 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023.
The reports are to be posted on the institution’s website and submitted to the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) by September 1, 2023.
Please submit your institution’s annual report and the link to its location on your website to submissions@heqco.ca. Please reach out to HEQCO at the same address with any questions.
Section A: Institutional Policy
You may append additional documentation or institution-specific information as you see fit.
Has your institution amended its free speech policy (or policy framework) since the time of your 2022 report? If so, please explain the reason for the change and provide the link to its location on your institutional website.
No amendments have been made
Health & Safety (saultcollege.ca)
Sault College Freedom of Speech Annual Report | Sault College
Where are members of the institutional community (or guests) directed when there is a free speech related question or complaint about an institutional event? Please provide contact information.
- Complaints are handled through the Student Services or the Human Resources Department. The email contact is conduct@saultcollege.ca or studentsupport@saultcollege.ca for Student Services. Contact # 705 759 2554 ext. 2703. HR can be reached at 705-759-2554 Ext. 2699 or humanresources@saultcollege.ca.
What is your institution’s policy on holding events where there are security concerns? To your knowledge, were there any instances where a non-curricular event did not proceed due to security concerns or their related costs?
- The Scheduling and Facilities Use Policy applies to events held on college owned or controlled property. Events undergo a risk assessment evaluation which is aligned with our Student Rights and Responsibilities and Freedom of Expression Statement. During the reporting period the College is not reporting any events that were cancelled due to security concerns or their related costs.
Section B: Complaints
You may append additional documentation or institution-specific information as you see fit.
Between August 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023, did any member of the institutional community (or guests) make an official complaint about free speech? If yes, please provide a general description that protects the privacy of complainants.
- No
If there has been an official complaint (or more than one):
What were the issues under consideration? Please identify any points of contention (e.g., security costs, safety, student unions and/or groups, operational requirements, etc.).
- N/A (see above answer)
How did the institution manage the free speech complaint(s)? Was the complaint addressed using the procedures set out in the policy? How were issues resolved?
- N/A (see above answer)
Section C: Summary Data
Please provide the following summary data for free-speech-related official complaints received by the institution:
| Number of official complaints received under the free speech policy relating to curricular and non-curricular events. | 0 |
| Number of official complaints reviewed that did not proceed. | 0 |
| Number of official complaints where the institution determined that the free speech policy was not followed appropriately. | 0 |
| Number of official complaints under the free speech policy that resulted in the institution applying disciplinary or other institutional measures. | 0 |
| To your knowledge, were any free speech complaints forwarded to the Ontario Ombudsman? | 0 |
To the best of your ability, please provide an estimate of the number of non-curricular events held at the institution between August 1, 2022 and July 31, 2023. Non-curricular events include, for example, invited speakers, sporting events, rallies, student life/student affairs events, conferences, etc., as opposed to regular events held as part of an academic program or course.
- Approximately 220 Non-Curricular events were held on Sault College Campus during the 22-23 academic year.
Institutional Comments (if any).