The Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa (APUO) collective agreement (PDF, 2 Mb) defines academic freedom in these terms:

“Academic freedom is the right of reasonable exercise of civil liberties and responsibilities in an academic setting. As such it protects each Member’s freedom to disseminate her opinions both inside and outside the classroom, to practice her profession as teacher and scholar, Librarian, or Counsellor, to carry out such scholarly and teaching activities as she believes will contribute to and disseminate knowledge, and to express and disseminate the results of her scholarly activities in a reasonable manner, to select, acquire, disseminate and use documents in the exercise of her professional responsibilities, without interference from the Employer, its agents, or any outside bodies. All the above-mentioned activities are to be conducted with due and proper regard for the academic freedom of others and without contravening the provisions of this agreement. Academic freedom does not require neutrality on the part of the Member, but rather makes commitment possible. However, academic freedom does not confer legal immunity, nor does it diminish the obligations of Members to meet their duties and responsibilities.” (article 9, pp. 55–56)

The Association of Part-time Professors of the University of Ottawa (APTPUO) collective agreement (PDF, 1.27 Mb) uses a very similar definition:

"Academic freedom is the right of reasonable exercise of civil liberties and responsibilities in an academic setting. As such it protects each member's freedom to disseminate her/his opinion both inside and outside the classroom, to practice her/his profession as teacher and scholar, to carry out such scholarly and teaching activities as she/he believes will contribute to and disseminate knowledge, to express and disseminate the results of her/his scholarly activities in a reasonable manner, and to select, acquire, disseminate and use documents in the exercise of her/his professional responsibilities, without interference from the Employer, its agents, or any outside bodies. All the above-mentioned activities are to be conducted with due and proper regard for the academic freedom of others and without contravening the provisions of this agreement. Academic freedom does not require neutrality on the part of the member, but rather makes commitment possible. However, academic freedom does not confer legal immunity, nor does it diminish the obligations of members to meet their duties and responsibilities." (article 2.5, p. 11)

The collective agreement governing the work of teaching and research assistants and other CUPE, Local 2626 members (PDF, 2.48 Mb) defines academic freedom as follows:

“Academic freedom includes the freedom to examine and question, teach and learn, research and invigilate as well as disseminate opinion(s) and speculate without deference to prescribed doctrine on questions, ideas, principles, concepts and issues related to pedagogy and research."

"The Employer accepts its responsibilities to Employees in upholding their rights to academic freedom in performance of their duties as long as said behaviours have academic substance, are pertinent to each work assignment and are subject to the reasonable direction of and agreement with the Supervisor. In the exercise of academic freedom, Employees shall discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the rightful expectations of the Employer and, in teaching functions, with the needs of the Students. The claim of academic freedom shall not excuse Employees from meeting their duties and responsibilities as set out in the Collective Agreement, their individual contracts, and the instructions of their Supervisor.” (article 21, p. 69)

I am a student or support staff member

I am a member of the teaching staff (APUO, APTPUO, CUPE 2626)

Yes. Freedom of expression and academic freedom are central to the University of Ottawa’s values and mission. However, they are also subject to certain limits.

To begin with, federal and provincial legislation imposes certain restrictions with respect to expression. Freedom of expression and academic freedom are also governed by the University’s policies (e.g., Policy 66 – Prevention of Workplace Violence, Policy 67a – Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination and Policy 121 – Statement on Free Expression), as well as by the collective agreements between the University and its teaching staff (see preceding questions for more information about those agreements).

In that regard, the following, for example, are not protected forms of expression:

• forms of expression or behaviours that constitute harassment or discrimination
• threats or violence
• forms of expression that promote or encourage violence or hate generally or towards an individual or group verbally, in writing or through posted signs, slogans or symbols
• actions that could endanger other persons
• actions causing material damage

Freedom of expression must also not limit the freedom of expression of other persons, for example, by preventing fellow classmates from expressing their views during a debate. Expression in the classroom must be respectful and relevant, and it must contribute to a learning environment where diversity and inclusion are valued.

In addition, academic freedom is also subject to certain limits, such as the obligation to adhere to ethical and professional standards in the scholarly community, and the principles of academic integrity and honesty.

Yes. The same rules and limits with respect to academic freedom and freedom of expression apply online. Policies governing freedom of expression and the prevention of harassment and discrimination are not limited to the physical world. For example, a virtual classroom is still a classroom where the same rules of respect apply. Online harassment is just as unacceptable as offline harassment.

Yes. Every member of the University community has the right to protest, to express criticism or to disagree with an event or speaker at the University. Any protest or public expression of disagreement must take place peacefully and lawfully, with respect for the rights and freedoms of others (which means, for example, not threatening or endangering participants).

Members of the University community may express their opinions and engage in discussion and debate on any topic, as long as they do so in accordance with legislation and University policies. As noted in Policy 121 — Statement on Free Expression, the “University recognizes that free debate and critique are essential to the pursuit of knowledge.”

The University allows outside groups to use its spaces, such as auditoriums and classrooms. However, such use is subject to specific conditions, in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures. Priority is given to space reservations that contribute directly to the University’s teaching and research mission.

If you feel that remarks by a member of our community endanger or threaten your safety, you may avail yourself of the following:

• Home faculty resources: Specific resources may be available to you, depending on your faculty.
  • Education Equity Program (Common Law Section)
  • Equity and academic success adviser (Civil Law Section)
  • Vice-dean, equity, diversity, inclusion and professional development (Faculty of Science)
  • For all other faculties, you may contact your vice-dean, student affairs (or equivalent).
• The Human Rights Office can help you if you are experiencing problems involving inclusion, employment equity, accessibility, harassment, discrimination or sexual violence.
• The Office of the Ombudsperson can provide information and advice on recourse available to you, and help resolve issues impartially and independently, in strict confidentiality.
• The Student Rights Centre, managed by the University of Ottawa Student Union, can help you assert your rights and support you in the resolution process, whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student.
• If, in addition to being a student, you are also a faculty or staff member belonging to a union (e.g. APUO, APTPUO, CUPE 2626), you can also reach out to them if your concern is related to your role as an employee.

In an emergency on campus (e.g., imminent threat), members of the University community can contact Protection Services at all times via the emergency number: 613-562-5411 (or 911 off campus).