Archive

Dear Mr. Barrett, As the City of London renews its Official Plan, I am writing to draw some human rights concerns to your attention and make recommendations to help the new plan include and welcome all residents in London’s communities.

Recent media articles have looked at the issue of housing that is limited to people belonging to a certain community group. Section 18 of Ontario’s Human Rights Code says:

The Minister and the Chief Commissioner share a commitment to the principles captured in the preamble to Ontario’s Human Rights Code, which recognizes the importance of and the need to reflect relevant international human rights principles, and agree that a strong and independent Ontario Human Rights Commission, capable of fulfilling its mandate efficiently and effectively, contributes substantially to the realization of those principles. To that end, the Minister and Chief Commissioner share the goal of establishing a relationship that ensures the responsible administration of the Commission and the fulfillment of its legislative mandate in a manner consistent with the effective and efficient use of public resources and with the Commission’s independent role in facilitating compliance with the Code.

July 16, 2015 - Canada's combined 21st and 22nd periodic Reports on the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) are due for submission in November 2015 to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). The OHRC provides periodic input to government and to UN human rights treaty bodies regarding Canada’s reporting obligations.

July 16, 2015 - Dear Minister, per your Ministry’s request, Please find attached the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s comment for Canada’s upcoming combined 21st and 22nd Reports to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination due November 2015.

Ontario Human Rights Commission Submission to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services on street checks ​August 11, 2015

August 10, 2015 - Summary: HRTO Decision in Swain v. MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP

Dear Chair and Committee Members, I am writing to comment on proposed amendments to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning Bylaws in regard to methadone clinics.

OHRC and HRPA webinar on preventing sexual harassment at work for HR professionals.

Removing the "Canadian experience" barrier in employment and rights and responsibilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Where two human rights conflict, the Supreme Court of Canada has said no rights are absolute, no one right automatically “trumps” any other, and any human right can be limited if it interferes with the rights of others. Girls and women often face sexism, marginalization, discrimination, harassment and exclusion throughout society. Women have fought hard over the years for equal rights and treatment. People belonging to minority creed communities have faced religious intolerance, including serious persecution, harassment, racism and discrimination.  

The Commission intervened in Sarnia (City) v. River City Vineyard, an appeal heard by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in October 2014.

Many Ontarians with mental health or addiction disabilities experience significant disadvantage in society, such as chronic poverty, lower levels of education, lack of access to affordable housing, high unemployment and lack of societal supports. Discrimination, which arises from negative attitudes, stereotypes and systemic practices, is a significant barrier, and may contribute to these social and economic disadvantages.

October 2015 - This report highlights the unique disadvantages that people with mental health and addiction disabilities experience in different social and economic areas. Showing these disadvantages can help policy makers, government, researchers, disability groups and service providers in their work to protect the human rights of people with disabilities, including people with mental health or addiction disabilities. The OHRC hopes that this report will be used as a tool to promote change to close these gaps.

July 3, 2015 - Dear Minister McMeekin, The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Update.

July 3, 2015 - Housing is a human right. Accordingly, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is making this submission[1] to the government’s consultation on updating Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy.

The OHRC sought leave to intervene in an appeal of the Federal Court’s decision to strike down a policy banning citizenship candidates from wearing face coverings during the citizenship oath.

Mr. Tang alleged that the respondents, McMaster University, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Centre for Student Development and the Medical Sciences Graduate Program, breached the Human Rights Code by failing to meet their substantive and procedural obligations to accommodate him. 

Please consider taking part in this work by completing our survey (by September 30, 2015)  and being part of our policy dialogue.  The Ontario Human Rights Commission is seeking new ways to stamp out an old and all too persistent problem – racial profiling.

Introduction The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) will host a policy dialogue on racial profiling early in 2016. The primary purposes of the event are to stimulate dialogue and generate relevant research to help inform the development of a new OHRC policy on racial profiling.  

June 21st is important but the years of work and recent report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission make it painfully clear that one day is not enough.

The decision by the Toronto Police Services Board to return to its April 2014 policy on Community Contacts is a step forward - here’s why.