Entertainment bodies draw up new code of conduct

TORONTO — A group of Canadian entertainment organizations has drafted a new collective code of conduct in response to sexual misconduct allegations that have flooded the industry.

The Canadian Creative Industries Code of Conduct is intended “to help prevent and respond to harassment including sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence,” the group said.

The steps outlined in the code include enacting “policies and procedures that maintain zero tolerance” for such behaviour.

It asks signatories to “designate people in the workplace to receive complaints of harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence.” Other steps include providing a timely process for the investigation and resolution of complaints.

More than 25 groups have signed up to the code, including the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, the Directors Guild of Canada and the Writers Guild of Canada. A working group has been creating the code as well as several other measures for the past few months.

ACTRA national president David Sparrow, who has been leading the working group for the code, says some organizations from Canada’s music industry are also interested in joining.

About 30 representatives of the music industry also met last week in Toronto to talk about creating their own code of conduct.

The new code includes a move to encourage people to set and respect personal boundaries and engage in consent-based interactions.