TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
TMU releases revised Discrimination and Harassment Policy

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is proud to announce the release of its newly updated Discrimination and Harassment Policy, marking a significant step forward in the university's ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion and human rights. Shaped by extensive consultations with students, faculty and staff, and aligned with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the revised Policy strengthens protection against discrimination and harassment across all areas of university life. It also ensures clearer, more accessible procedures for addressing concerns. This update underscores TMU's dedication to fostering an equitable and inclusive campus environment for all community members. 

The Policy review took place from fall 2024 to spring 2025. Its primary goal was to update both the Policy and Procedures to support the needs of TMU's diverse community and reflect human rights best practices. The review was conducted by the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI).

After three rounds of extensive community consultations, a revised Discrimination and Harassment Policy was submitted to the Board of Governors who approved it on June 26, 2025.

A community-informed review

In November 2024, 385 participants from the TMU community provided input on the policy review through feedback sessions, town halls and an online survey. Their contributions laid the groundwork for proposed updates to the policy, which were shared with the community in January 2025, along with another online survey to gather additional feedback. Additional tabling and feedback sessions took place with student unions and groups as well as faculty, contract lecturer and staff unions in February and March 2025, for a total of 842 TMU community members. 

In mid-April 2025, a draft of the updated Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures was shared with the TMU community, with the option to share additional feedback by survey or written submission. 

Summary of updates

• The Policy was renamed to "Discrimination and Harassment Policy" from "Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy."
• The Policy is written in plain language, making it easier for TMU community members to read and understand. 
• The Policy is aligned with the Ontario Human Rights Code and other university policies.
• New sections of the Policy have been added that outline its purpose and identify key values and guiding principles, including: 
  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
  • Addressing Systemic Barriers and Discrimination
  • Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom
• The Definitions section in the Policy has been updated to clarify core concepts, including adding descriptions of the Ontario Human Rights Code protected grounds and different types of discrimination and harassment, as well as hate activity.
• The Duty to Accommodate section in the Policy has been expanded to include all relevant protected grounds in the Ontario Human Rights Code, including disability, creed, family status, sex (pregnancy) and gender identity and gender expression. 
• The section on Shared Responsibility to Address Discrimination and Harassment has been updated to include all university community members, and a new section has been added on roles and responsibilities under the Policy.
• The Policy and Procedures have been aligned with other related university policies, including the Sexual Violence Policy (updated in 2024), particularly with respect to the complaint resolution process outlined in the Procedures, including, for example: 
  • The Jurisdiction of the Complaint Resolution Process section clarifies the university's role in addressing complaints related to incidents connected to university-related activities that occur off campus or online. 
  • The Accountability Measures in the Procedures have been revised to provide decision makers with relevant factors to consider including the range of potential measures to apply following a finding of a breach of the Policy.
• Timelines have been updated in a number of circumstances. These timelines may be extended if reasonably necessary in the circumstances. 
  • A complainant will receive initial communication from Human Rights Services (HRS) within five business days of filing a complaint.
  • HRS will typically complete a preliminary assessment within 25 business days after receiving all of the relevant details of a complaint. 
  • HRS will endeavour to address complaints and communicate the outcome of the complaint resolution process to the parties within 12 months from the date that the complaint was received. 
  • The decision maker will render a decision within 30 business days of receiving the investigation report and all other relevant information and materials. 
  • The appeal decision maker will communicate the appeal decision in writing to all parties within 20 business days of the commencement of the review.
• The complaint resolution process in the Procedures has been enhanced to include a greater emphasis on early intervention, alternative resolution, Indigenous conflict resolution and restorative justice approaches to addressing complaints of discrimination and harassment. 

• The Procedures have been updated to confirm the avenues through which HRS will accept anonymous complaints of discrimination and harassment in order to assess whether they fall within the university's jurisdiction and determine appropriate next steps. However, due to inherent limitations in addressing anonymous complaints, it may not always be appropriate or procedurally fair to proceed with a complaint resolution process in every case.
• The Policy and Procedures have been updated to ensure compliance with new legislative requirements outlined in Bill 166, the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act (2024) as directed by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. 

Explore the updated Policy and Procedures

All TMU community members have the right to learning, working and living environments free of discrimination and harassment. 

We all have a shared responsibility to promote and protect human rights at the university so that all community members can thrive with equity, dignity and respect. 

The updated Discrimination and Harassment Policy will further advance our efforts to sustain a culture of human rights at TMU based on principles of procedural fairness and trauma-informed practices for all parties involved in the human rights complaint resolution process. 

Thank you to all community members who contributed to the policy review process. Your insightful feedback was crucial in updating the Discrimination and Harassment Policy. 

Next steps 

In accordance with legislative requirements and the TMU administrative policy framework, as well as our commitment to excellence and community consultations, the university will conduct the next policy review in approximately five years.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the updated Discrimination and Harassment Policy review process, please email [email protected]. 

Resources are available

HRS offers human rights expertise to students, faculty and staff by providing proactive advice and consultation on human rights issues and delivering human rights-focused education and training across the university. 

For individuals who experience or witness discrimination or harassment at the university, HRS receives reports and provides confidential complaint resolution services rooted in trauma-informed approaches and procedural fairness. 

TMU community members who would like to report an incident of discrimination and harassment or learn about the options available to them can contact Human Rights Services at [email protected] or 416-979-5349. Learn more about Human Rights Services.

Students can access well-being services and support, including individual counselling support and/or individual peer support hosted by Student Wellbeing.

Students can access Good2Talk, a free, confidential mental health support service for all post-secondary students in Ontario, available 24/7/365. Access support by calling 1-866-925-5454 or by texting "GOOD2TALKON" to 686868.