Freedom of Expression
As a Comprehensive Community College, Medicine Hat College is proud of its continued commitment to protecting freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, in addition to the freedoms of conscience; religion; association; and peaceful assembly, all as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Medicine Hat College is a place of free and open inquiry in all matters. All members of the Medicine Hat College community are guaranteed the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn. Debate and deliberation must not be suppressed simply because the ideas put forward are thought by some, or even most, to be unwelcome, uncomfortable, unwise, wrong-headed, disagreeable, deeply offensive, immoral or false. It is not Medicine Hat College’s role to protect individuals from such ideas. It is for individuals to judge the nature of ideas and opinions for themselves, and to act on those judgments not by seeking to suppress expression but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas that they oppose.
Members of the Medicine Hat College community have the right to criticize and question other views expressed on campus, but must not obstruct or otherwise interfere with others’ freedom of expression. Mutual respect and civility are valued, but the lack of them, in and of itself, does not constitute sufficient justification to limit freedom of expression. Freedom of expression may only be restricted if it violates the law, falsely defames an individual, constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, or unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests. Medicine Hat College may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that the expression does not disrupt the ordinary activities of Medicine Hat College.
Medicine Hat College shall apply this statement consistently and without discriminatory or preferential treatment toward any individual or group. The fact that an individual or group is permitted or invited to carry on an expressive activity on campus does not mean that the views of that individual or group are representative of Medicine Hat College ’s views as an institution, or the views of its leadership. Relevant Medicine Hat College Policies and Guidelines:
- Respectful Work and Learning Environment
- Code of Conduct
- Student Non-Academic Misconduct
- Student Rights and Responsibilities