Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment

The open exchange of comments, feedback and ideas and the freedom of expression are central to Wheel & Anchor’s (W&A) core values and principles. These require an environment that recognizes the inherent worth of every person and group, that fosters dignity, understanding, and mutual respect, and that embraces diversity. For these reasons, W&A requires all W&A members (referred to in this policy as “Members”) to abide by this Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment with respect to their participation in W&A-related activities.

This Policy applies to all W&A-related activities, wherever they take place, in Canada or abroad. This includes our website, social media, and online groups such as Telegram trip groups, social events, and all tours.

This Policy applies to how Members treat one another, and to how Members treat W&A staff, trip hosts, guides, and the staff of our suppliers. If a Member is mistreated by someone who is not a Member, such as a supplier’s employee, please report it in the same way, and W&A will take it up with the person’s employer. A complaint against a W&A employee will be addressed under W&A’s employee policy against discrimination and harassment.

1. Discriminatory Harassment

W&A prohibits discrimination, and conduct that constitutes or could lead or contribute to harassment, because of a person’s race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed or religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, or disability, or any other ground protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. W&A also prohibits other harassment – including bullying – rising to the level of persistent, malicious, and severe mistreatment by conduct or threats, intimidation, or abuse that has the effect of (i) substantially interfering with a person’s participation in W&A-related activities or (ii) that would reasonably cause a person to fear for their physical safety.

Examples of prohibited discriminatory harassment include, but are not limited to:

• use of ethnic slurs or derogatory terms relating to an individual’s gender or sexual orientation;
• distribution of racially or sexually offensive e-mail or other electronic communications; and/or
• threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts directed at a particular sex or religious group or directed at an individual because of their sexual orientation, colour or ethnicity.

Harassment does not require intent to offend. Thus, inappropriate conduct or language meant as a joke, a prank, or even a compliment can lead or contribute to harassment.

2. Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a specific type of discriminatory harassment. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature can constitute sexual harassment.

W&A prohibits conduct that constitutes or could lead or contribute to sexual harassment. Examples of such conduct include, but are not limited to:

• unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances or propositions;
• inappropriate touching of an individual’s body;
• graphic verbal comments about an individual’s body or appearance;
• sexually degrading words used to describe an individual; and/or
• displaying or sharing sexually explicit images or messages, in person or online, including in trip group chats and on social media.

3. Complaint Procedures and Remedial Actions

If you believe that you or any Member has been subjected to any conduct of the type prohibited by this Policy, you are urged to report the relevant facts promptly. Prompt reporting is very important so that W&A can take action to stop the conduct before it is repeated, but a late report will still be taken seriously. All reports will be followed up on promptly, with further investigation conducted where needed to confirm facts or resolve disputed facts. In conducting its investigations, W&A will strive to keep the identity of individuals making reports as confidential as possible.

On a trip, report the conduct to your trip host straight away. At any other time, or if you would rather not raise it with your host, contact W&A’s Founder at contact@wheelandanchor.ca. W&A’s Founder or their designee will review and direct appropriate follow-up of complaints made under this Policy, in consultation with the involved member services person, trip host, or any community representative who may have relevant information in regard to the complaint. Before a final decision is made, the person complained about will be told what is alleged and given a chance to respond, unless urgent action is needed to protect someone. In consultation with such group, the Founder will have the final say on how to resolve any complaint made under this Policy, and the outcome will be confirmed in writing to the Members directly involved.

Individuals who violate this Policy will be subject to remedial action, including without limitation suspension and termination of their membership in W&A and exclusion from participating in future W&A events and tours. During a trip, the host may take immediate interim steps, such as separating travellers or, in serious cases, removing a Member from the trip under the booking terms. Appropriate remedial action will also be taken with respect to an individual who knowingly makes a false allegation concerning an alleged violation of this Policy or makes a complaint under this Policy in bad faith.

4. Policy Applicability

Your safety matters to us. If you feel unsafe on a trip, for any reason, tell your trip host straight away; in an emergency, contact local emergency services first. Our hosts can act immediately, including separating travellers or, in serious cases, removing a traveller from the trip under the booking terms. Except as the law provides, W&A is not responsible for the actions of individual Members.

This Policy applies only to discrimination and harassment as described above and not to other potentially unwelcome conduct. Other complaints regarding issues not covered by this Policy should be addressed under the applicable W&A policy, if any.

5. No Retaliation

Threats or acts of retaliation against individuals who report inappropriate conduct pursuant to this Policy or provide information in connection with a report by another individual will not be tolerated. In the event you believe that you have been retaliated against for such action, you should use the above procedures to report the pertinent facts promptly. W&A will investigate and take appropriate action in the manner described above.