Ontario Strengthening Laws to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment

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