Updated August 2026 to reflect EAC’s transition to exclusively school-based programming and current operating practices.

Education Arts Canada (“EAC”) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, inclusive and professional environment for our employees, contractors, volunteers, participants, clients and community partners.

These policies apply to all EAC personnel as appropriate to their roles.

Screening, Training and Quality Assurance

Personnel who work directly with children are appropriately screened for their roles, which may include interviews, reference checks and Vulnerable Sector Checks.

EAC personnel receive appropriate orientation and training for their responsibilities, and programs are subject to ongoing quality assurance by EAC leadership.

Personnel must not undertake potentially dangerous work or operate equipment for which they have not been appropriately trained.

Health and Safety

EAC is committed to protecting the health and safety of its personnel and participants. Everyone working with EAC shares responsibility for identifying hazards, following safe work practices and complying with applicable EAC and school safety requirements.

Personnel have the right to refuse unsafe work in accordance with Ontario law. If personnel reasonably believe that work presents an immediate safety hazard, they must stop the affected work.

Whenever work must be stopped or cannot safely proceed, a senior EAC representative must be contacted immediately so that EAC has an opportunity to assess and, where possible, address the situation.

All injuries, significant safety incidents, vehicle incidents and significant near misses must be reported promptly to EAC.

Touring, Load-In and Load-Out

• Protective footwear: CSA-approved steel-toe safety footwear must be worn during loading, unloading, setup, strike and other work around heavy objects.
• Vehicle safety: No person may stand or walk directly behind a vehicle while it is moving or may reasonably be expected to move.
• Spotters: A spotter must be used when reversing if the reversing camera or other rear-visibility equipment is not functioning properly or does not provide a clear view, visibility is otherwise limited, or pedestrian or other traffic could reasonably enter the vehicle’s path. The spotter must remain safely to the side, never directly behind the vehicle, and visible to the driver. If the driver loses sight of the spotter or is uncertain that the path is clear, the vehicle must stop immediately.
• High-visibility clothing: High-visibility safety vests must be worn where vehicular traffic presents a potential hazard.
• Overhead work: Where overhead work creates a risk from falling equipment, tools or materials, appropriate hard hats must be worn by anyone required to remain below. If hard hats are not available, the area below must be cleared until the overhead work is complete.
• Winter conditions: EAC personnel are expected to be prepared for normal Canadian winter conditions, including appropriate footwear and clothing. If snow, ice or other conditions create a significant safety hazard beyond normal expected winter conditions, personnel should use a safer route or ask school staff to have the area cleared or treated before proceeding.
• Students and minors: Students and other persons under 18 must not assist with loading or unloading EAC vehicles or production equipment.

Equipment must be safely and securely loaded and transported, set up and operated safely, and work areas must be kept reasonably clear of hazards.

Touring personnel must have access to a charged cell phone, first-aid kit and EAC emergency contact information and should familiarize themselves with the school’s emergency procedures and exits.

Child Safety

The safety and well-being of children participating in EAC programs is a primary responsibility.

EAC personnel must maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children, follow school supervision and safety requirements, and avoid being alone with a child whenever reasonably possible.

Personnel must not communicate privately with participating children through personal accounts or photograph, record or publicly identify individual children without appropriate permission.

Anyone who has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection must comply with Ontario’s legal duty to report the concern directly to a children’s aid society.

EAC programs in schools are conducted under the supervision of school staff. EAC personnel do not replace the school’s responsibility for student supervision.

Concussion and Participant Safety

EAC programs are designed and delivered to minimize foreseeable risks of injury, including concussion. Physical activities are planned with consideration for the ages and abilities of participating students and the available space.

If a participant is suspected of sustaining a concussion or other significant injury during an EAC program, their participation in the activity must stop and supervising school staff must be notified immediately. EAC personnel will follow the school’s procedures regarding the student’s care and return to activity.

Respectful Workplace: Harassment and Discrimination

EAC does not tolerate workplace harassment, sexual harassment, bullying or discrimination.

Anyone who experiences or witnesses harassment or discrimination may report it to their supervisor, the Director of Operations, the Chair of EAC, or another senior EAC representative if reporting to one of those individuals would be inappropriate.

A person is not required to confront the individual responsible before making a complaint.

EAC will conduct an investigation appropriate to the circumstances. Information concerning a complaint will be disclosed only as reasonably necessary to investigate, take corrective action or as required by law. The complainant and respondent will be informed in writing of the results of a workplace harassment investigation and any corrective action taken or to be taken, as required by law.

No person will be penalized or subjected to retaliation for making a good-faith complaint, participating in an investigation or raising a legitimate workplace concern.

Workplace Violence

EAC does not tolerate workplace violence, threats of violence or threatening behaviour.

Personnel must report incidents or threats of workplace violence promptly. Where there is an immediate danger, personnel should move to safety where possible and summon emergency assistance, including calling 911 when appropriate.

EAC will investigate and respond to incidents and take reasonable precautions to protect workers from identified risks of workplace violence, including domestic violence that may enter the workplace, as required by Ontario law.

Code of Conduct

EAC personnel are expected to act professionally and respectfully when representing the organization.

Personnel must:

• treat students, colleagues, school personnel and members of the public with respect;
• use language and behaviour appropriate for a school environment;
• follow reasonable directions from EAC and school personnel;
• maintain appropriate confidentiality;
• not work while impaired in a manner that could make their work unsafe; and
• comply with EAC’s safety, child-protection and workplace policies.

Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

EAC is committed to treating people with dignity and respect and to providing an environment free from discrimination. EAC complies with applicable Ontario human rights and accessibility requirements.

EAC is committed to inclusive and equitable casting and employment practices. At the same time, the nature of dramatic and educational programming may occasionally require a performer to have particular characteristics that are reasonably necessary to portray a specific role or to meet the legitimate artistic or educational requirements of a production. Where such requirements exist, casting decisions may take those bona fide requirements into account.

EAC will make reasonable efforts to accommodate disabilities and accessibility needs in accordance with applicable law.

Privacy and Confidentiality

EAC personnel must protect confidential and personal information obtained through their work and must not disclose it without authorization or as otherwise permitted or required by law.

Identifiable photographs or recordings of participating children must not be publicly shared without appropriate permission.

Complaints and Workplace Concerns

EAC welcomes feedback and takes concerns about its programs, personnel and services seriously.

Concerns may be reported to an immediate supervisor, the Director of Operations or the Chair of EAC, as appropriate. Serious concerns involving harassment, discrimination, violence, child safety, retaliation or unlawful conduct may be reported directly to senior EAC leadership.

EAC will respond appropriately to complaints and workplace concerns and will not retaliate against anyone for raising a legitimate concern or participating in an investigation.

Members of the public may also contact EAC through our Contact Us page.

Review

EAC reviews its health and safety, workplace violence and workplace harassment policies and programs at least annually and updates them as necessary.