TORONTO – Canada’s creative community is adopting a zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying, and violence in the industry.
In a joint statement, 16 groups pledged to enact an industry-wide code of conduct, clearly defining expectations of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, enforcement and consequences. The first steps include:
– creating more effective reporting mechanisms and supports, which ensure all individuals can report allegations without fear of judgement or retribution;
– ensuring more effective enforcement of existing industry policies; and
– launching a multi-level education and training program, including an industry-wide awareness campaign designed to establish and strengthen a culture of safe workplaces.
“This moment presents us all with an opportunity to focus a spotlight on the prevention of sexual harassment”, reads the statement. “We are committed to working in partnership to build solutions and will continue to provide updates as they become available.”
The statement is signed by Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA), Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (The Academy), The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), Canadian Actors Equity Association (Equity), Canadian Media Guild (CMG), Casting Directors Society of Canada (CDC), Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), Director’s Guild of Canada (DGC), Entertainment Industry Coalition (EIC), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA), NABET 700-M Unifor, Talent Agents and Managers Association of Canada (TAMAC), Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Writers Guild of Canada (WGC), and Women in View.
