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This Procedure applies to all members of the University Community, including employees, students, guests, and visitors who require accommodation related to breastfeeding or chest-feeding.

This Procedure outlines the process for supporting and accommodating individuals who are breastfeeding or chest-feeding, in alignment with the University�s human rights obligations and commitment to equitable access, dignity, and inclusion.

Breastfeeding and chest-feeding are protected practices under Breastfeeding and chest-feeding are permitted in public and shared spaces but may be subject to reasonable limitations where necessary, considering health and safety, operational, or academic considerations. Quiet infants and young children are welcome in lecture theatres, public spaces, or seminar rooms. Infants and young children are not permitted in laboratories or other settings where potential health and safety issues and hazards are of concern.

Accommodation, where necessary, will be individualized, recognizing that needs vary and change over time. All processes will be guided by dignity, respect, privacy, and a trauma-informed approach.

1. Initiating a Request

1.1 An individual who requires an accommodation relating to breastfeeding or chest-feeding should make their needs known to a person with adequate responsibility to facilitate the accommodation (a �Responsible Person�). A Responsible Person may include, but is not limited to:

• in the case of a non-academic employee, their supervisor or manager;
• in the case of an academic employee, their unit head; or
• in the case of a student, their instructor, professor, or academic supervisor. 

1.2  Formal documentation is not required unless necessary to support complex accommodation arrangements.

2. Identifying Accommodations

2.1 The individual seeking accommodation and a Responsible Person will discuss and identify appropriate arrangements. These arrangements can include but are not limited to:

1. an allotment of time for lactation breaks;
2. access to a designated breastfeeding or chest-feeding area; or
3. adjustments to schedules, duties, or academic requirements where necessary.

2.2 Individuals who are breastfeeding or chest-feeding are entitled to the following:

1. a clean, hygienic, and private area to feed/chest-feed or express breastmilk (e.g. a student lounge, employee lounge, or unused office);
2. a comfortable chair to use while feeding/chest-feeding or expressing breastmilk;
3. a table to support a pump or related equipment;
4. hand�washing facilities and equipment�washing facilities;
5. a table;
6. appropriate storage for expressed milk (refrigerator/freezer) and pump equipment; and
7. an electrical outlet for the use of a pump.

2.3  An individual being accommodated must communicate any changes in their needs over time to their respective Responsible Person. 

3. Responsibilities of Responsible Persons

3.1 Responsible Persons will facilitate reasonable accommodation to the point of undue hardship in collaboration with the individual, balancing operational academic, and health and safety requirements with human rights obligations and maintaining confidentiality.

3.2 In environments where safety risks exist, Responsible Persons must identify restrictions and work with the individual to provide adequate alternatives.

3.3 Office of EDI-AR / Human Rights Advisor may provide guidance on Human Rights obligations and accommodation standards. They may also assist in resolving concerns when accommodation is unclear or disputed.

3.4  In the case of employees, Human Resources can provide operational guidance on workplace accommodations and support the implementation of appropriate arrangements.

3.5 All accommodation requests and related discussions will be handled confidentially and in accordance with privacy legislation and University policies.

4. Responsibilities of Breastfeeding and Chest-feeding Individuals

Breastfeeding and chest-feeding individuals are responsible for supporting a clean, respectful, and accessible environment for themselves and other users. This includes:

4.1 keeping milk expression areas clean and ready for the next user, including designated lactation spaces and any other approved areas where milk expression may occur; 

4.2 properly labeling, storing, and removing expressed milk and related personal items; 

4.3 disposing of waste appropriately and maintaining hygiene in shared spaces; 

4.4 communicating accommodation needs to the appropriate responsible person as early as possible, where feasible; 

4.5 where attending class, seminars, meetings, or events with an infant, making reasonable efforts to sit in a location that allows them to exit with minimal disruption if needed; and 

4.6 where the duration of an examination, class, placement, meeting, or other university activity may interfere with breastfeeding or chest-feeding routines, consulting with the appropriate instructor, supervisor, manager, or responsible person to identify suitable accommodation options.