The policy replaces the existing Zero Tolerance of Violence Policy. Pictured: Hamilton City Hall. Photo Credit: City of Hamilton/X.
The City of Hamilton recently announced a new Respectful Environments Policy (RZone Policy) in order to “promote respectful behaviours in all city facilities and spaces.”
The policy replaces the existing Zero Tolerance of Violence Policy that has been in place for a number of years at city facilities.
RZone covers all city facilities, parks, trails, spaces, programs, and events.
The RZone policy also applies to all in-person, phone, and online interactions with City of Hamilton staff.
City employees have reportedly received training on the new policy.
The ‘R’ in RZone stands for “Respect and Responsibility: respect for yourself, respect for others, and responsibility for your actions.”
The city says that RZone complements existing workplace policies such as the Code of Conduct for employees, the Occupational Health, Safety, and Wellness Policy, the Violence in the Workplace Prevention Policy, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy, and the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Policy.
The city says that individuals who break the RZone policy may be removed from city premises, issued a letter of warning, or even banned from a facility.
Officials encourage anyone who witnesses an incident to report it directly to city staff or use the online incident report found at www.Hamilton.ca/RZone.
Hamilton City Manager Marnie Cluckie said that “RZone sets clear expectations for residents, visitors, and City of Hamilton employees to create and maintain spaces that are safe, welcoming, and foster a true sense of belonging for everyone.”
“By working together, we can all promote respect and responsibility, improving the safety, appearance, and overall environment of our community.”
A seven-page outline of the policy says that inappropriate behaviour includes “loud verbal assaults” that are “deemed to be aggressive,” threats, theft of property, vandalism, use of alcohol on non-licensed premises, harassment, and use of illegal drugs.
The policy also notes that employees and members of the public are “not to put themselves at risk or jeopardize anyone’s safety when dealing with contraventions of this policy.”
“If at any time an employee or user feels personally threatened, they are to call the Police or security immediately for assistance,” the document reads.
The document also notes that if there is any damage to city property by an individual, then that person is required to reimburse the city for all costs associated for repairs, an administration fee, as well as any lost revenues.
RZone was first implemented in the City of Oakville and has since been borrowed by other municipalities in Ontario.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
