Intellectual Freedom

The Cardinal Carter Library endorses both the Ontario Library Association's Statement on the Intellectual Rights of the Individual (November 7, 1998) and the Canadian Library Association Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries (September 27, 2015).  

All persons in Canada have the fundamental right, as embodied in the nation's Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to have access to all expressions of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity, and to express their thoughts publicly. This right to intellectual freedom, under the law, is essential to the health and development of Canadian society. 

Libraries have a basic responsibility for the development and maintenance of intellectual freedom. 

It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some elements of society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable. To this end, libraries shall acquire and make available the widest variety of materials. 

Libraries should resist all efforts to limit the exercise of these responsibilities while recognizing the right of criticism by individuals and groups.