Baxter Arts Centre is committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all participants, staff, volunteers, instructors, and visitors. We have a legal responsibility to ensure our team work in a safe and harassment-free environment. This means we must act if anyone is being unsafe or disrespectful toward our team members. Harassment of any kind is not tolerated.

Please Note that this Participant Code of Conduct is administered in conjunction with Baxter Arts Centre’s Anti-Harassment Policy, Worker Code of Conduct, and Human Rights Policy, and includes freedom from discrimination under any of the grounds established by the Ontario Human Rights Code, including race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (18 and over), marital status (including same sex partners), family status, disability, and record of offences.

Scope

For the purpose of this policy, ‘participants’ includes all program and event attendees, and the parents/ guardians who register children for programs and events, unless otherwise specified. The term ‘workers’ includes employees, independent contractors, temporary workers, board members and volunteers, unless otherwise specified.

Policy

All workers and participants of Baxter Arts Centre have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, participate in a safe and welcoming environment, be free from harassment and discrimination, and have concerns addressed promptly and fairly.

Expected Behaviour of Participants

  • Be respectful and considerate of others
  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and fellow participants
  • Be respectful of the space, supplies and equipment

Examples of Harassment (Includes but not limited to)

  • Offensive comments or language
  • Threatening or intimidating behaviour
  • Sustained disruption of programs or events
  • Inappropriate physical contact
  • Unwelcome sexual attention
  • Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behaviour
  • Harassing photography or recording

Our Commitment to Safety Includes

  • Posting policies clearly on our website, and having them accessible on site in our Policy Binder
  • Providing participants with our policies to review and accept at registration
  • Providing training for all workers in Workplace Violence and Harassment in Ontario, Workplace Health and Safety, and Understanding Human Rights.
  • Having Instructors review expectations with participants at the beginning of all programs
  • Reviewing all Incident Reports with Program Director in a timely manner (eg. by end of day)
  • Follow up and investigating all reported incidents in accordance with our Anti-Harassment Policy

Reporting: If you experience or witness harassment, please:

  1. Immediately speak to a staff member on site if you feel safe doing so
  2. Email Baxter Arts Centre Program Director Gabriele Cole at programs@baxterartscentre.org
  3. Call Baxter Arts Centre President + Board Chair Carolyn Sinclair @ (416) 347 6404 All reports will be taken seriously and investigated promptly. You may report anonymously, though this may limit our ability to follow up.

Response to Reports of Harassment

  • We will listen to the reporter without judgment
  • We will investigate promptly and fairly
  • We will maintain confidentiality to the extent possible
  • We will take appropriate action to address the situation

Consequences for Harassment May Include

  • Warning
  • Removal from the current program or event
  • Barring from future programs and events
  • Reporting to appropriate authorities if warranted
  • No refunds will be issued for participants who are removed from programs for endangering or harassing others

Retaliation

Retaliation against anyone who reports harassment or participates in an investigation is strictly prohibited and will be treated as a violation of this policy.

Please Note: This policy is available online (this page) and in the policy binder at Baxter Arts Centre. It will be reviewed as often as necessary, but at least annually.

Approved by Board: March 5, 2026

To Be Reviewed by: March 5, 2027