FTR Now
Reminder: Colleges and Universities to Have Sexual Misconduct Policies in Place by July 1, 2023
Date: May 1, 2023
We would like to remind our college and university clients that the Ontario government recently passed Bill 26, Strengthening Post-secondary Institutions and Students Act, 2022. Among other things, Bill 26 amends the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act and the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 to require post-secondary institutions to address faculty and staff sexual misconduct towards students.
Beginning July 1, 2023, all publicly assisted universities and colleges of applied arts and technology, as well as private career colleges (collectively, “Institutions”), are required to comply with the measures introduced by Bill 26.
Amongst other requirements, Institutions must put in place a sexual misconduct policy by this date. At a minimum, a sexual misconduct policy must include the Institution’s rules with respect to sexual behaviour involving employees and students and must provide examples of disciplinary measures that may be imposed on employees who contravene the policy.
For more information about Bill 26, please see our FTR Now of October 28, 2022, Ontario Tables Bill 26 Mandating Post-secondary Institutions to Address Faculty and Staff Sexual Abuse Towards Students in a More Prescriptive Manner, as well as our FTR Now of December 12, 2022, Bill 26 Passes as Amended, Mandates Post-secondary Institutions to Address Faculty and Staff Sexual Misconduct Towards Students.
Hicks Morley’s lawyers are uniquely positioned to help craft a policy with your organization’s workforce and operations in mind. Should your organization require assistance, please contact your regular Hicks Morley lawyer.
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP. ©
