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Under those same principles, speech that violates the law is not allowed.

Macfarlane said the University of Chicago statement is “strong and clear” and Ontario schools should adopt it. But he says the policy likely wasn’t necessary since there have only been a small number of these controversies in Ontario in recent years.

He said it’s also not clear what the province will do if the policy is put to the test.

“I’m not clear what happens if say 10 to 20 students disrupt a speaking event,” he said. “Is the outcome there that the entire university community is punished with cuts to its operating grant?”

Chris Glover, the NDP colleges and universities critic, said the official Opposition will be watching the policy development process.

“Ontarians are concerned that Doug Ford’s decree regarding so-called ‘free speech’ rules on campus may parallel the American version of the campus free-speech movement, which opens the door for groups to spew hate on the campuses of post-secondary institutions,” he said in a statement. “We want to ensure that campuses are safe, welcoming spaces for all — including those who are women, racialized individuals, and those who are LGBTQ2.”

Daniel Woolf, Chair of the Council of Ontario Universities, said the schools will work with the government to help develop the policies but that universities already have dispute resolution mechanisms in place to deal with free speech issues.

“Every day, on every university campus in the province, hundreds if not thousands of conversations and debates take place; facts and opinions are expressed that some participants may not like, or even find offensive,” Woolf said in a statement. “Ontario universities have policies that affirm the right to freedom of expression for students, faculty and staff, and have.”

Danny Chang, president of Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, said that group will work to ensure students have a voice during the creation of the free speech policies across the province.

“Our priority is ensuring that students are part of the conversation when it comes to implementing this policy,” he said. “Moving forward, we are committed to ensuring that the university experience for students is not impacted by any potential changes to grant funding.”