Safe Recreation

Our shared commitment to safe, welcoming spaces.

The City of Vaughan’s Safe Recreation Policy ensures our facilities are safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for every resident.

Policy Background
 

The Safe Recreation Policy (18.C.05) (PDF) was approved by Vaughan Council on Sept. 22, 2025. It replaces the former Safe Community Centres Policy (2005) and applies to all City-operated recreation facilities and programs. 
 

Policy at a Glance
 

  • Establishes a respectful environment across all City-operated recreation facilities and programs.
  • Promotes diversity, equality, fairness and inclusion for residents and staff.
  • Aims to prevent and address inappropriate behaviour, harassment, discrimination, vandalism and violence, including sexual violence. 
  • Applies to all patrons, employees, volunteers, contractors and visitors. 
  • Supports education, awareness and accountability through training and enforcement.

Contact Us

 

Recreation Services

 

Vaughan City Hall, Level 300
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
Vaughan, ON  L6A 1T1
Phone: 905-832-2281
Email: rec@vaughan.ca

 

Related Links

 

Safe Recreation Policy (PDF)

Inclusive Recreation

Code of Conduct: In support of a safe and respectful community

The City of Vaughan promotes safety, respect, and civility for all users of City-operated Recreation Facilities and programs. The City will take appropriate steps to address any unacceptable behaviour in alignment with the Safe Recreation Policy (18.C.05) (PDF). All patrons, visitors, participants, volunteers and staff must treat others with dignity and respect. Consequences may include a verbal warning, suspension from programs or a formal trespass ban.
 

The following behaviours are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any City-operated Recreation Facility:

  • Violence or threats that endanger others, including physical aggression, possession of weapons, sexual harassment, assault, or attempts to incite violence.
  • Discrimination, harassment, or abusive conduct based on any personal characteristic protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including race, ancestry, colour, creed, sex, gender identity, disability, or place of origin.
  • Verbal abuse or intimidation, including shouting, threats, foul or profane language, or any behaviour that creates an unsafe or hostile environment.
  • Vandalism or damage to property, including theft, graffiti, destruction, or misuse of City property and equipment.
  • Inappropriate or unsafe behaviour, such as rough play, misuse of emergency exits, refusal to follow staff instructions, trespassing, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol on-site.

Behaviour Management Procedure

Behaviour:  

  • Participant was provoked or in a situation that causes anxiety. 
  • Behaviour was not serious and there is no injury to self, others or property. 
     

Actions:  

  1. Report immediately incidents of behaviour to full time staff and Inclusion Team. 
  1. Document occurrences  
  1. Inclusion Team conduct and assesses the level of risk. 
  1. Implement Step 1 support strategies. 
  1. Documents are securely stored. 
  1. Maintain the confidentiality.  

     

Training and Coaching 

  1. Review the implementation of behavior management training, focusing on preventive strategies and the basics of de-escalation. 
     

Communication:  

  1. Submit all records to the Full-time staff and Inclusion Team.  
  1. Full time staff and the Recreation Services Inclusion Team will inform parents about consequences and educate them on the Safe Recreation Policy (PDF) and the Behaviour Management Procedure.  
  1. Parent signs the “Acknowledgement Form” 
     

Monitoring: Continue to monitor behaviour and coach staff. 
 

Consequences:  

  1. If behaviour continues, transition to Step 2. 

Behaviour:  

  • Participant intended to be aggressive and/or inappropriate.  
  • Injury to self, others or property is mild. 
     

Actions:  

  1. Conduct a case conference.  
  1. CIRT (Community Intervention and Response Team) prepares a case conference report.  
  1. Continue tracking behavior and maintain accurate records. 
  1. Review and update records regularly to reflect new behaviour changes. 
  1. Ensure that discussions during case conferences and any related reports uphold the standards of confidentiality. 
     

Following the case conference outcome: 
 

Training and Coaching:  

  1. Conduct participant specific training focusing on specific intervention techniques and personal safety measures. 
     

Interventions:  

  1. Implement actions to eliminate or minimize risks and train staff to implement and monitor these actions. 
     

Monitoring: Continue to monitor behaviour. 

If behaviour continues, parents are informed verbally and in writing about potential consequences, which may include temporary suspension from the program. 

  1. The following “Email Suspension Template/ Letter “including the “Acknowledgement Form” should be used in communicating behavioural issues that could potentially lead to suspension (one class to a full session) from a program. 
  1. Parent signs the “Acknowledgement Form”.  
     

Consequences:  

  1. If behaviour continues, transition to Step 3. 

Behaviour:  

  • Unprovoked aggression. 
  • Incident was very serious.  
  • Significant injury to self, others or property. 
  • The individual, staff, or other person(s) received medical attention. 
  • Demeaning racial remarks, jokes or innuendo. 
     

Actions: 

  1. Provide the assessment report and documentation to the Recreation Manager. 
  1. Recreation Manager approves of denies removal from program.  
  1. If removal from the program is approved:  
  1. Conduct a formal meeting with the family to discuss the decision, providing clear reasons for the removal and explaining any further steps process available.  
  1. Parents receive Removal Letter and sign Acknowledgement Form.
  1. All communication is documented.
  1. An alert in Xplor Recreation system is placed on the participant’s profile. 
  1. Participant is refunded/ credited.  
     

Record Keeping: All documentation is securely archived related to the case.