Freedom of Expression

Policy ADM 25.0

Policy Statement

As a public institution of higher learning whose mandate includes the pursuit of truth, the dissemination of knowledge, and the fostering of democratic discourse, Lakeland College is proud of its long-standing and continuing commitment to protecting freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, and the related freedoms of conscience, religion, association, and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Lakeland’s mission is to inspire lifelong learning and leadership through experience, excellence, and innovation. Lakeland College is a place of free and open inquiry in all matters. All members of the Lakeland College community are guaranteed the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn. Debate and deliberation must not be suppressed simply because the ideas put forward are thought by some, or even most, to be unwelcome, uncomfortable, unwise, wrong-headed, disagreeable, deeply offensive, immoral or false.

The fact that an individual or group is permitted or invited to carry on an expressive activity on campus does not mean that the view of that individual or group are representative of Lakeland College’s views as an institution or the views of its leadership.

Furthermore, Lakeland’s values of learner success, integrity, respect, community, excellence and innovation guide the way we conduct business, and treat our students, colleagues and clients.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define the position on the rights and responsibilities of individuals engaging in free speech at Lakeland College. This includes the right to communicate opinions and ideas without interference, censorship, or sanction, including the right to engage in peaceful protest regarding the content of free speech of others.

Scope

This Policy applies to all members of the College Community, including invited guests and visitors, who use College space or resources or take part in off campus activities sponsored by the College.

This Policy does not apply to the responsibilities and obligations to and of the College as stated in other college policies or in the collective agreement between Lakeland College and the Lakeland College Faculty Association, regarding the College's commitment to academic freedom.

Definitions

College Community: Includes, but is not limited to, employees, visitors, volunteers, consultants and service and supply contractors and their employees while they are engaged in activities related to their contracts with Lakeland College.

Freedom of Expression: means the free expression of ideas and perspectives through a variety of media, including text, performance, images, or the spoken word (free speech), either virtually or physically, by individuals or groups

Guidelines

1. The College is fully committed to promoting and advocating Freedom of Expression. At the same time, the College has a responsibility to ensure that all members of its community can reasonably expect to pursue their work and studies in a safe and civil environment.

2. The College is committed to Freedom of Expression and maintaining and upholding the following principles:

• Free and open inquiry in all matters.

• Individuals should have the broadest latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge ideas and learn.

• Individuals should have the right to challenge, debate and criticize the views of others but not obstruct the right of others to freely express their views.

• The offensiveness of ideas should not be a barrier to individuals having the freedom to express their ideas or points of view.

• It is up to individuals not the institution to make judgments about the ideas put forward.

3. Activities must ensure compliance with Canadian and Alberta law.

4. Institutions need to restrict activities that seek to falsely defame any individual, constitute a genuine threat or harassment or unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests.

5. The institution will reasonably regulate time, place and manner of expression to ensure events do not disrupt the ordinary activities of the institution.

6. It is not Lakeland College’s role to shield individuals from such ideas. It is for individuals to judge the nature of ideas and opinions for themselves, and to act on those judgments not by seeking to suppress expression but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas that they oppose. As a corollary, Freedom of Expression requires the college to not only promote a lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation, but also to protect the freedom when others attempt to restrict.

7. Lakeland College may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that the expression does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the college.

Exceptions n/a

Related Policies and Procedures

• Academic Freedom Policy

• College Member Code of Conduct

• Student Code of Conduct

• Copyright and Fair Dealings

• Sexual and Gender-based Violence Policy

• Use of College Facilities Policy

• Violence and Response Policy

• Workplace Harassment Prevention Policy

• Workplace Violence Prevention Policy

Relevant Legislation

• Alberta Human Rights Act

• Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act

• Alberta's Petty Trespass Act and Trespass to Premises Act

• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Related Forms/Documents

Faculty Association Collective Agreement

Revision History

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

ADM 25.0

Policy Owner: President Policy Lead: Director, Human Resources

Responsible Office: Executive Office

Approver: Senior Leadership Team

Initially Approved: October 19, 2019 Last Revised: February 9, 2023

Review Scheduled: February, 2026 Last Edited: February 9, 2023