Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Academic freedom, freedom of speech and freedom of association are among the most important values held in the University of Toronto. The University’s Statement on Freedom of Speech (1992) defines freedom of speech and expression as “the right to examine, question, investigate, speculate, and comment on any issue without reference to prescribed doctrine, as well as the right to criticize the University and society at large.”

The Statement continues: “The right to free speech extends to individuals cooperating in groups. All members [of the University community] have the freedom to communicate in any reasonable way, to hold and advertise meetings, to debate and to engage in peaceful assemblies and demonstrations, to organize groups for any lawful activities and to make reasonable use of University facilities, in accordance with its policies as they are defined from time to time and subject to the University’s rights and responsibilities.”

In the University’s policies and statements, and throughout this website, “freedom of speech” and “freedom of expression” are used interchangeably.

Freedom of expression is vital at an institution like the University of Toronto. Debates, unconstrained by preordained conclusions or threats of exclusion, are fundamental to the pursuit of truth, knowledge, and understanding. As our Statement on Free Speech states:

The existence of an institution where unorthodox ideas, alternative modes of thinking and living, and radical prescriptions for social ills can be debated contributes immensely to social and political change and the advancement of human rights both inside and outside the University.

Outstanding research, scholarship, teaching, learning, and innovation thrive only by examining and testing a variety of ideas, discarding those that fail and improving those that work. The interaction and competition among new or unfamiliar ideas, perspectives, and beliefs stretch our understanding and knowledge, sparking breakthroughs in fields from art and architecture to physics and philosophy.

Yes. Canadian laws – including the Criminal Code of Canada and the Ontario Human Rights Code – not the University of Toronto, set legal boundaries on speech. Various statutes of Canada and Ontario, as well as the common law, place limitations on some forms of speech. This is true whether the speaker is on a street corner or a campus corner.

The University’s Statement on Freedom of Speech describes how the university might limit or guide the right to free speech, for example, when speech is used as a direct attack to prevent the lawful exercise of speech by other University members or invited guests, or to interfere with the conduct of authorized University business. The purpose of the University depends upon an environment of tolerance and mutual respect. Every member should be able to work, live, teach and learn in a University free from discrimination and harassment. No member of the University should use language or indulge in behaviour intended to demean others on the basis of their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, or disability.

Nevertheless, particularly in cases of dispute and controversy, as the Statement says, “the University’s primary obligation is to protect the free speech of all involved. The University must allow the fullest range of debate. It should not limit that debate by preordaining conclusions, or punishing or inhibiting the reasonable exercise of free speech. … [T]he values of mutual respect and civility may, on occasion, be superseded by the need to protect lawful freedom of speech.” “However,” the statement continues, “members should not weigh lightly the shock, hurt, anger or even the silencing effect that may be caused by use of such speech.”

All members of our community are bound by Canadian and provincial law. There is also a more general sense in which the right to free speech imposes accompanying responsibilities: freedom of speech can function effectively only when it comes with the responsibility to respect the rights of others to free speech. Shouting down or silencing others suppresses speech and so stands in opposition to the principles of free expression. Standards of respect, decency, and inclusion are not in tension with academic freedoms. On the contrary, they ground and support such freedoms.

There is another sense in which the rights of free speech, freedom of research, and academic freedom entail certain responsibilities. Particularly on university campuses and at other institutions of research and education, academic and related freedoms depend upon the related notion of academic responsibility. Universities Canada suggests:

Evidence and truth are the guiding principles for universities and the community of scholars that make up their faculty and students. Thus, academic freedom must be based on reasoned discourse, rigorous extensive research and scholarship, and peer review.

Standards of academic rigour are set and assessed at the collegial level, among those members of our community who have expertise in a particular discipline – first and foremost, the faculty members, scholars, and students engaged in the relevant discipline. This is the essence of peer review and a cornerstone of modern scholarship. Whether a particular statement meets standards of academic rigour should be determined by an academic’s peers and not an institution’s administration.

As the University’s statements have noted over the years, the right to free speech occasionally comes into tension with other fundamental values. But ‘tension’ does not mean ‘opposition’. As the University’s statements have also noted over the years, the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion are not obstacles to free speech and the pursuit of truth. On the contrary, the University has argued that these principles, along with respect and civility, operate in concert with free expression to foster excellence. An important foundation for the University of Toronto’s widely celebrated excellence is our academic community’s remarkable diversity – ethnic, racial, cultural, linguistic, religious, socio-economic, and intellectual. The interaction and competition among so many different ideas stretch and test our beliefs and spark new insights, leading to discovery, understanding, and advances in the human condition.

In this context, it is useful to remember why free expression is so important, especially at an institution like the University of Toronto. Debates are fundamental to the pursuit of knowledge, and social, artistic, scientific, and political progress. Outstanding scholarship, teaching, and learning thrive only by examining a variety of ideas, discarding those that fail and improving those that work. The free expression and exchange of a multiplicity of diverse ideas is a vital condition for the University’s success. As our Statement of Institutional Purpose notes, rights of freedom of speech, academic freedom and freedom of research “are meaningless unless they entail the right to raise deeply disturbing questions and provocative challenges to the cherished beliefs of society at large and of the university itself.”

Yet, while every member of our academic community enjoys the same rights to free expression, there are times when not every member of our academic community feels equally able to act on those rights. In this regard, the lived experience of individuals in our community is especially meaningful. Some groups have felt marginalized, oppressed, sidelined, intimidated, or targeted with malicious, cruel, or stigmatizing speech. Our Statement on Free Speech warns: ‘members should not weigh lightly the shock, hurt, anger or even the silencing effect that may be caused by use of such speech.’

Weighing one’s speech is thus not simply a moral consideration; it is also part of our collective recognition that excellence is achieved together. Speech or acts that diminish an individual or a particular group diminish us all, by subverting the contest of ideas at the heart of the University’s mission. The University’s policies make clear that we must support and encourage free expression, particularly in those quarters where such expression may be more difficult, by providing opportunities for all members of our community to express themselves, engage with each other, and respect our differences.

No. Part of the role the University plays in our society is to provide a venue for discourse and debate. The University’s Statement of Free Speech is clear: “To achieve this purpose, all members of the University must have as a prerequisite freedom of speech and expression, which means the right to examine, question, investigate, speculate, and comment on any issue without reference to prescribed doctrine, as well as the right to criticize the University and society at large.” Disagreeing with points of view, often strenuously, is common on university campuses.

Furthermore, the University’s Policy on the Temporary use of Space notes:

The lands and buildings of the University of Toronto are private property. The University reserves the right to control access to its campuses, and to the use of its space and facilities. All users of University space are required to comply with all applicable University policies, federal and provincial statutes and municipal by-laws relating to private property, the rights of individuals and the University.

Any use of University space must abide by principles that reflect the University’s purpose, mission and values. One core value is a commitment to freedom of expression and open dialogue. Another value upholds the importance of respect and civility, even — especially — on those issues on which strong opinions are held. Without such an environment, free expression becomes increasingly difficult, debates degenerate, and intellectual advances are held hostage by those who can yell the loudest or intimidate most effectively.

Our community’s physical safety is an over-riding imperative when controversy arises and debates become heated. While the University has — extremely rarely — denied, cancelled, or rescheduled bookings, the bar to do so is set very high and has nothing to do with whether the administration agrees or disagrees with the event’s proposed content. In such cases, the boundaries set by legislation and the physical safety of our community are the institution’s motivating considerations. The University does not permit actions by any groups that cause (or are assessed to have the reasonable potential to cause) threats to the physical safety of members of the University community.

The University’s Policies and Statements that have been passed by the Governing Council can all be found on the Governing Council’s website (http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca). This website, under the Policies and Statements tab, also collects together a number of the University’s relevant policies and statements regarding freedom of expression.

No. Community leaders, alumni, and occasionally our current faculty, students and staff sometimes conclude that events being held on campus are endorsed or arranged by the University administration. This is incorrect. Many events on our campuses are hosted by internal or external groups having first arranged space rental or booking with the relevant facility in the usual fashion. The University itself does not sponsor, organize, or endorse events arranged by internal or external groups.

The University itself does not hold opinions on social, scientific, political or other issues apart from those directly pertaining to higher education and academic research. The University’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni may hold such opinions. The role of the University’s administration is not to adjudicate among different opinions or judgements. Rather, the administration’s role is to help realize the mission of the University, and foster open inquiry in its many forms.

With respect to the assignment of space, the University’s first priority must be for room bookings that contribute directly to our academic mission of teaching and scholarship. At the same time, the University of Toronto plays a role in the community by opening our auditoria and rooms on occasion to external groups on appropriate terms in accordance with University policy and procedure. External groups are expected at least to cover the costs associated with the room booking, such that they are not being subsidized by student fees. The University itself does not sponsor, organize, or endorse events arranged by external or internal groups.

If a member of our community believes that another member’s speech compromises or threatens their personal safety, they may bring these concerns to their Dean’s Office, Equity Offices, or Community Safety Office. All such concerns would be closely examined, with respect to fairness and due process.

In urgent or acute cases, members of our community should contact Campus Police:

On St. George

• Urgent: 416-978-2222
• Dispatch: 416-978-2323
• http://campuspolice.utoronto.ca

At UTM

• Urgent: 911
• Dispatch: 905-569-4333
• https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/campus-police/campus-police-services

At UTSC

• Urgent: 416-978-2222
• Dispatch: 416-287-7398
• http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/police/welcome

Moreover, U of T has policies and procedures that address discrimination, workplace harassment, and health and safety concerns. We also have a variety of safety programs to support students, faculty and staff, including those offered by the Community Safety Office, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre, and the Campus Police on each campus. Any member of our community who feels physically unsafe or threatened is encouraged to seek out these resources.

Peaceful protests are a form of free expression, provided they do not disrupt an event or threaten the security or safety of participants. The University is guided by a commitment to the right of University members to communicate and to discuss and explore all ideas, and to engage in peaceful demonstrations. Indeed, peaceful protest has been a force for progressive change at the University, as it has elsewhere, for generations.

The Ontario Government’s recent guidance on free speech “requires every publicly assisted college and university to develop and publicly post its own free speech policy by January 1, 2019 that meets a minimum standard specified by the government.”

The University of Toronto’s policy framework covering freedom of speech, freedom of research, academic freedom and related matters is fully consistent with the Government’s guidance. It includes: a definition of free speech; a commitment to the principles of free expression; respect for the laws of Canada and Ontario; a requirement that student and other groups, like all members of the University community, comply with the University’s policies; and confirmation of disciplinary and complaint mechanisms that exist at the University for students, staff, faculty, and other members of the community. The University has been asked by the provincial government to encourage its officially recognized student societies to align their various policies with the relevant aspects of the University’s free speech policy environment, as detailed in this website.