Proposed Legislation to Make Campuses in Thunder Bay Safer for Students
Ontario recently introduced legislation that, if passed, will help keep students in Thunder Bay safer from the
threat of sexual violence and harassment.
Premier Kathleen Wynne met with student and community leaders at Lakehead University to discuss how
the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act, if passed, would help deliver on the province’s
commitments in It’s Never Okay, Ontario’s ground-breaking action plan to stop sexual violence and
harassment.
The legislation would make campuses and communities safer and more responsive to the needs of
survivors by requiring every publicly assisted college, university and private career college in Thunder Bay
and across the province to have a stand-alone sexual violence policy and to review it — with student
involvement — at least once every three years.
Other measures in the action plan will support the safety of students by: Ensuring every campus has a
clearly stated protocol to address complaints of sexual violence; providing effective training and prevention
programs for faculty, staff and students; and ensuring services and supports for survivors are available
24/7; supporting initiatives to reduce sexual violence and ensure safe campuses through funding such as
the Women’s Campus Safety Grant, making sure that all students are provided with information about
preventing sexual violence and are informed of the resources and supports available to them — starting
with their first week of orientation and continuing throughout the year, for all years of study.
“In Canada, one out of every three women will experience some form of sexual assault in her lifetime.
By putting the strength of the law behind our commitment to protecting women from sexual harassment and
violence, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act will send a clear signal that violence against
women will not be tolerated on our campuses or in our communities., said Kathleen Wynne, Premier of
Ontario
Supporting survivors of sexual violence and creating a safer, more inclusive and more equitable province is
part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents
and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history, creating a
dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.
“I am proud of our government’s plan to tackle this issue and provide support for students on campuses
across Ontario. Ensuring sexual violence and harassment is a priority for all of us is absolutely vital to both
being and feeling safe on campus. This is part of our plan to build Ontario up, by recognizing the unique
nature of Northern Ontario students and providing the support they need to succeed,” said Michael
Gravelle, MPP, Thunder Bay-Superior North
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