This Code of Conduct is only one step in achieving our goals to provide a safer environment for artistic practice. Working from the Canadian Code of Conduct for the Performing arts, we have attempted to be inclusive and specific in addressing concerns affecting folks experiencing harassment, discrimination, bullying, violence, racism, homophobia, gendered oppression, ableism and more. We are always open to suggestions to improve this Code of Conduct and policy statements.

A/PPS has zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence.

A/PPS aims to provide a safer environment.

A/PPS values an inclusive environment.

This Active/Passive Performance Society (A/PPS) Code of Conduct confirms our commitment to safe and respectful workplaces and performance environments free of harassment including sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence.

Harassment can take many forms including unwanted sexual attention, inappropriate jokes or texts, threats, and other unwelcome verbal, written, visual or physical communication or conduct. Discrimination can include microaggressions, outright or overt hate speech or actions, as well as systemic racism and misogyny. Discrimination needs to be looked at with a lens of intersectionality, as does A/PPS’s response.

Everyone has a responsibility to build safe and respectful environments, and as such we share this Code of Conduct with our artists, staff/crew, volunteers, and attendees.

Harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence can affect individuals at every level of the arts. Promoting increased gender equality and diversity is one way to break down barriers and reduce or eliminate these behaviours. Therefore A/PPS includes in its mandate “to amplify diverse artists”. We know that the word “diverse” is a buzzword that can act as a catch all, and we recognize that A/PPS has a responsibility to learn and grow and listen to ensure that our language and actions grow with our learnings and that we strive toward continuous improvement and reduction of barriers. At heart our goal is to ensure that all folks have opportunities to make, perform and experience art.

The principles espoused in this Code are applicable to all of our environments whether we are working, performing, hosting workshops or meeting as a board.

We will always encourage the good-faith reporting of complaints concerning harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence in our environments and will cooperate in or lead the investigation of such complaints as appropriate.

As such the following policy statements comprise our Code of Conduct Policy:

A/PPS has zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence

We will take all reasonable measures to ensure that if Artists, Staff, Audience or Volunteers are experiencing harassment, discrimination, bullying or violence they can report in good faith to the A/PPS co-producers or directors without fear of reprisal or being ignored.

All concerns or complaints should be directed to the co-producers. Where the concern or complaint is about the co-producers, then it can be directed to a board member using directors@activepassive.ca. This email will never be monitored or accessed by the co-producers.

If the co-producers or directors are made aware of such experiences they will:

• Take immediate steps to ensure a safer environment wherever possible, such as:
• Moving individuals to other areas or roles;
• Providing a secure location for the reporter; and
• Asking individuals accused of such behaviours to leave until an investigation has taken place
• Conduct a thorough investigation of the behaviour and experience that centres safety and accountability
• The co-producers or directors will take all reasonable measures to ensure they approach the issue without bias or assumptions
• Evidence will be retained
• Privacy will be managed commensurate with the safety of the individuals involved, with co-producers or directors taking all reasonable measures to keep personal information confidential as appropriate in the situation
• The co-producers or directors will conduct this investigation in a timely manner
• If the investigation so warrants, the co-producers or directors will work with the parties involved to attempt to reach resolution or facilitate an agreement or understanding that allows the reporter to continue to participate in A/PPS events to the extent that they wish
• The co-producers or directors will implement proportional consequences for violations, including but not limited to:
• Removing individuals from environments;
• Requiring counseling or training for further employment;
• Banning individuals from all future events and environments;
• Restorative justice principles to allow the individual responsible for the complaint to reintegrate into the community;
• Providing information about individuals to other arts organizations to limit the opportunity for such violations to occur again in the future, and to contribute to safer performance spaces overall; and
• Taking legal action as per applicable legislation
• The co-producers or directors will take all reasonable measures to protect from retaliation or reprisals those individuals who in good faith allege violations of anti-harassment, discrimination and violence statements, and this code of conduct

A/PPS aims to provide a safer environment

• As such we expect all our artists, volunteers, staff and attendees to:
• Set and respect personal boundaries
• Ask for and respect consent for interactions with each other where appropriate
• Read this Code of Conduct and these expectations as well as those in any contracts they enter into with A/PPS and comply with them
• A/PPS will comply with rules and directives from local public health authorities to provide a safe and healthy environment

A/PPS values an inclusive environment

• To contribute to and provide an inclusive environment A/PPS will:
• Centre principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at every stage of planning and executing our programming, from curation through promotion
• Continuously learn about the barriers to inclusion and accessibility
• Audiences, artists, and volunteers are prohibited from engaging in behaviours that put up barriers to inclusion. For example:
• A/PPS will not tolerate discrimination or harassment
• Paid performers, crew and staff will be required to sign contracts that include provisions regarding this code of conduct
• A/PPS will not engage artists, staff, crew, or volunteers known to behave contrary to this Code of Conduct