Charter of Rights, Freedoms & Responsibilities

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the Winnipeg Technical College community is the foundation of justice, acceptance and peace in our school;

Whereas it is essential those who compose the College community have mechanisms to safeguard their fundamental rights, freedoms and responsibilities;

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of acceptance and respect among ethnic, religious and cultural groups within our school community;

Whereas the citizens of Winnipeg Technical College?s community believe in fundamental human rights, the dignity and worth of the human person, the equal rights of women and men, and the promotion of acceptance and respect for differences in our College community;

Whereas each individual commits to achieve, in cooperation with the College the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Therefore, Winnipeg Technical College proclaims this Charter of Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities as a common standard for all members of the College community, and to that end, every individual, keeping this Charter constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and learning, to promote respect for these rights, freedoms and responsibilities, and by progressive measures to secure their recognition and observance within our school and beyond as stated in the following articles:

Article 1: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Charter, without distinction of any kind, including race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth and physical or mental challenges; regardless of status as student, staff or visitor.

Article 2: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act responsibly towards one another in a spirit of an inclusive community.

Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person. No one shall be subjected to harassment or to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment as a member of the College community.

Article 4: Everyone has the right to recognition as a member of the Winnipeg Technical College community and to be addressed in a respectful manner.

Article 5: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with one?s privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon one?s honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the College against such interference, threats or attacks.

Article 6: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This includes the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas responsibly and at appropriate times/places.

Article 7: All students have the right to take part in the Student Council, directly or indirectly, through freely-elected representatives.

Article 8: Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association at appropriate times/places.

Article 9: Everyone has the right and responsibility to create and maintain a safe and effective learning environment at the College.

Article 10: Within the resources available to Winnipeg Technical College, everyone has the right to the full development of one?s potential.

Article 11: Everyone has the right to an effective remedy to acts violating the fundamental rights granted by legislation, or Winnipeg Technical College policy.

This document is the product of a collaborative effort by the Winnipeg Technical College students and staff. Staff Council ratified this document on February 21, 2001.