Code of Conduct

By applying for membership with NICE, you indicate that you have accepted and will abide by the NICE Code of Conduct as published.

This document sets the code of conduct expected of all members of NICE and is a condition of membership. This document applies to all members, irrespective of their membership type, the role they fulfil, or the jurisdiction in which they live or work.

NICE is dedicated to ensuring safe, inclusive and equitable spaces.

All NICE members must abide by the following rules:

  • Uphold the reputation and good standing of NICE
  • Refrain from using offensive or inappropriate language on all NICE-related communications and social collaboration tools
  • Act with integrity and respect others; value alternative points of view
  • Ensure practices, policies, comportment, and branding reflect a commitment to diversity and inclusion and refrain from any such choices or actions that are offensive to any groups, communities, or individuals based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexuality, ability, age, or ethnic background
  • Act within the boundaries of relevant legislation
  • When participating on a NICE Committee, act in the general interest of, and must not use your position to unfairly benefit yourself, your employers, or others
  • Promptly pay membership fees as part of continued membership
  • Not commit NICE in any way unless authorized to do so
  • Not make any statement on behalf of NICE or purport to represent NICE through any public medium, including digital social media, unless authorized to do so by NICE
  • Reject, and not make any offer of, bribery or unethical inducement
  • Be respectful to the staff and Board of Directors of NICE if you disagree with its advice or policies, allowing NICE to comment, reply or change its processes in a professional manner

Members in good standing of NICE commit to:

  • Provide a clean, welcoming, well-maintained and safe environment for all audiences
  • Provide audiences with the highest possible level of service
  • Treat audiences, visitors, NICE staff, and other members of NICE courteously, ethically, respectfully, and professionally
  • Abide by all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws
  • Keep your business information updated with NICE

NICE reserves the right to review any individual membership application or conduct audits of its members for validity and conformity to the rules stipulated in the membership agreement.

NICE may, at its sole discretion, decide on the appropriate action to take. NICE does not refund or reimburse any portion of its membership fees, not even if the membership is cancelled within the membership year period. In addition, NICE reserves the right to suspend public listings and other benefits of membership while a complaint is being investigated.

Positive principles

Film exhibition spaces across Turtle Island are on the treaty lands and traditional territories of many Indigenous nations, and are important spaces for sharing Indigenous stories of the past, present and future. We make this acknowledgement in the spirit of respect and truth, and in recognition of Indigenous sovereignty.

In general, NICE abides by these positive principles:

  • We value and recognize the skills and contribution of each person
  • We treat each other with honesty, dignity and respect
  • We enjoy a positive, blame-free environment
  • We are working toward common goals
  • We keep confidential information confidential
  • We declare any situation where we might have a conflict of interest
  • We speak with candour: being honest and open while not judging others or monopolizing the conversation
  • We talk about issues, not people

Harassment, discrimination and mistreatment

Harassment, discrimination and mistreatment (in-person, online or any communications) includes, but is not limited to:

  • Violence or assault of any kind
  • Bullying, stalking, threats or intimidation
  • Sexual harassment, unwelcome sexual attention, innuendo, or joking; inappropriate or unwanted physical contact
  • Negative stereotyping or any discriminatory language and actions, which aim to minimize a person's identity or lived experience
  • Disruption of events
  • Photography or recording of an individual that is non-consensual and unwelcome

Harassment, discrimination and mistreatment is not:

  • Discussing or respectfully criticizing oppressive behaviour, assumptions, or precedent

How to report harassment

If you experience or witness any form of harassment or discrimination, please contact any of the below contacts:

All complaints will be investigated promptly, thoroughly, and impartially. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigatory process to the extent consistent with adequate investigation and appropriate corrective action.

All violations of the law should be reported to local law enforcement. For emergencies, immediately dial 9-1-1.

Bystander intervention

NICE encourages members of our community to collectively work to prevent inappropriate and harmful behaviors. Strategies for intervention include disrupting harassment, asking the harasser to stop, asking for help and reporting any incidents requiring escalation.