News
Ontario Human Rights Commission releases its 2009-2010 Annual Report
Toronto (July 20, 2010) Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall today released the Ontario Human Rights Commission's 2009-2010 Annual Report.
In issuing this year’s report, Ms. Hall stated, “Our work can be summed up in three words: educate, empower and act – actions that can transform written rights into lived rights.” read more
Re: Good information comes at a price
Letters@globeandmail.com (July 15, 2010) I share your concerns about deleting the census long form. In “Count me in!”, our new guide to collecting human rights-based data, the OHRC identifies this information as a vital starting point for organizations working to eliminate barriers for their workers and their customers. It is hard to solve problems or run a successful business or make a good policy without all of the information – yet that is exactly what is being proposed with these changes. read more
Re: Census questionnaire
Dear Minister,
I am writing to you regarding the Federal Government’s intent to end the mandatory requirement for completing the detailed Census questionnaire. Data from this survey provides an invaluable resource for measuring human rights equality. The Ontario Human Rights Commission is concerned that a voluntary approach will result in inadequate data that is skewed by self-selection and no longer comparable to previous censuses. read moreThe OHRC introduces a new resource for human rights and mental health
Toronto (June 21, 2010) - The Ontario Human Rights Commission has serious concerns about the degree to which people with mental health disabilities experience discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, and services. Discriminating against someone because they have a mental health disability or addiction is a violation of Ontario’s Human Rights Code.
For this reason, we have identified mental health as a key priority and consulted with the community to develop a human rights and mental health plan to guide our activities. We have also published a new section on our website that brings together information on human rights and mental health in Ontario. read more
UTSC students help create new e-learning tool on human rights
Toronto (June 17, 2010) - by Eleni Kanavas
A new and pioneering teaching tool that will help people in Ontario to understand human rights better has been developed by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) with assistance from three students at U of T Scarborough. read more
Posted with permission from the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Re: Submission of the Ontario Human Rights Commission on Bill 21, an Act to regulate retirement homes
Dear Mr. Qaadri
Thank you for the opportunity to provide our comments on Bill 21 , An Act to regulate retirement homes. The OHRC commends the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat for introducing legislation that, for the first time in Ontario, would lead to regulations to enhance the safety and security of older Ontarians living in these facilities. read more
OHRC launches new tool to help municipalities combat racism and discrimination
Toronto (June 11, 2010) - The OHRC provides tools and approaches that individuals, organizations and sectors across Ontario can use in their own efforts to advance human rights. A new reference guide, Anti-racism, Anti-discrimination for Municipalities, offers tips and templates municipalities can apply to their work. read more
Human Rights 101 eLearning GOES LIVE on June 8, 2010!
Toronto (June 8th, 2010) The Ontario Human Rights Commission is launching Human Rights 101, the first in a series of eLearning modules on human rights. Developed with assistance from the New Media Studies Program at the University of Toronto Scarborough and input from community stakeholders, Human Rights 101 users will be able to learn about human rights information from anywhere they have internet access. read more
Process for reconciling competing rights claims
Toronto (June 7th, 2010)This document is part of a factum prepared by the OHRC in the N.S. “niqab” case. The Commission is intervening in this case, which will be heard by the Court of Appeal for Ontario on June 8 and 9, 2010 and addresses the issue of whether a witness can wear a niqab when testifying in criminal proceedings. read more
Understanding human rights in Canada has become easier
(June 7th, 2010) A new website, launched today, will showcase the work of Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial human rights agencies.
www.cashra.ca provides links to all human rights agencies in Canada as well as to initiatives, news and opinions of national interest coming from those various organizations. read more
Re: Draft new Zoning By-Law
To Whom It May Concern:
Toronto (May 18, 2010) The Ontario Human Rights Commission has reviewed the Covering Report to the Revised Draft of the new Zoning By-law.
In September 2009, we raised concerns about the human rights impacts of placing restrictions on housing types which could lead to discrimination against some groups. Many of these concerns have not been resolved by the current draft of the zoning by-law. read more
Committee Transcripts: Standing Committee on Social Policy - May 10, 2010 - Bill 21, Retirement Homes Act, 2010
The Chair (Mr. Shafiq Qaadri): I would now invite our next presenter to please come forward-and I think the committee always appreciates it when an officer of the Legislature comes forward-the honourable Barbara Hall, chief human rights commissioner for the province of Ontario, and colleague. Welcome- read more
TPS, TPSB and Ontario Human Rights Commission celebrate new milestone
Toronto Police Service (TPS) Media Advisory
Toronto (May 17, 2010) A major joint initiative between the Toronto Police Service (TPS), the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB), and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to bring about institutional change in combating racism and discrimination celebrates a new milestone. An event celebrating the project’s completion is being held today at 11:50 a.m, at St. Lawrence Hall. read more
Re: Draft regulation on Quality Assurance Measures for services and supports to adults with a developmental disability
Dear Minister,
The Ontario Human Rights Commission recently had an opportunity to review your Ministry’s draft regulation for application entities and service agencies that is being considered for enactment under the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008. read more
Comment of the Ontario Human Rights Commission on the City of Oshawa's Student Accommodation Strategy
Toronto (March 30, 2010)
Dear Mr. Ralph:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the City of Oshawa's Student Accommodation Strategy. Attached is the Ontario Human Rights Commission's ("OHRC") written submission. read more
OHRC Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall spoke to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly on March 24, 2010 about the OHRC’s view on Bill 231, Election Statute Law Amendment Act.
OHRC, business and community say “yes” to collecting human rights-based data
Toronto (March 24, 2010)This morning, senior business and community leaders joined the Ontario Human Rights Commission to launch “Count me in!”, a new guide that provides information and advice on collecting human rights-based data in a wide variety of sectors across Ontario. read more
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - March 21st
Fifty years after the Sharpeville massacre that sparked the idea for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we can celebrate many changes and improvements. But racism continues and its effects harm the direct victims and the communities in which we all live and work. This March 21st let us renew the commitment in Ontario’s Human Rights Code to work for equal rights and opportunities without discrimination.
Mobilizing Municipalities to address racism and discrimination
Toronto (March 15, 2010) The City of Vaughan, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) are pleased to announce an important forum that will focus on “Mobilizing Municipalities to Address Racism and Discrimination”. read more
Letter to the Editor, Toronto Star Re: Canada’s ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Toronto (March 12, 2010) Canada’s ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an important step forward. Much more than “just another treaty”, the Convention is, essentially, Canada’s promise to protect, promote and advance the rights of people with disabilities. read more
Campaign promotes "Housing is a human right"
Toronto (March 1st, 2010) The Ontario Human Rights Commission, the City of Toronto, the Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario, the Greater Toronto Apartment Association and the Human Rights Legal Support Centre have joined forces to promote housing as a human right. read more
Housing is a human rightAnnouncement takes aim at Asian angler attacks
Peterborough Examiner (February 12, 2010) The last three years have seen at least 20 incidents of violence against Asian-Canadian anglers in central Ontario--and that has to stop, says Italo Labignan.
Labignan, the host ofCanadian Sportfishingon TSN, was in Peterborough on Thursday to introduce a new public service announcement. read more
Letter to the Editor, Toronto Star Re: ‘Tenant-friendly' buildings get thumbs up (6 Feb. 2010)
Toronto (February 9, 2010) Making sure rental housing is ‘tenant-friendly’ is a great idea whose time has come. read more
OHRC Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall regrets passing of Keith Norton
Toronto (February 1st, 2010) Ontario has lost a true human rights champion with the passing of Keith C. Norton.
Keith was Chief Commissioner of the OHRC from 1996 to 2005, but his dedication to social justice and his willingness to fight for the rights of everyone in our province was a driving force throughout his career as a lawyer, educator and cabinet minister. read more
Municipal Bylaws must follow Human Rights Code: OMB
Toronto (January 25, 2010) Municipalities have to consider the needs of everyone - including people with disabilities or on social assistance - when making bylaws. The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) made that ruling late last week, saying “municipalities – and this Board – are bound by the [Human Rights] Code”. read more
Message of condolences
Toronto (January 18, 2010) The Ontario Human Rights Commission is saddened by the news of the passing of Rémy Beauregard, who was Executive Director of the Commission from 1994 to 2001.
Remy made a unique contribution to strengthen human rights institutions both here in Ontario and abroad. He will be missed.
Our thoughts are with his wife, Suzanne Trépanier, and his family, during this difficult time.
Ontario Human Rights Code Cards now available for download
Toronto (January 12th, 2010) You can help advance human rights in Ontario by promoting the dignity and worth of everyone. Print and post Ontario Human Rights Code Cards around your workplace and let clients, co-workers and volunteers know that your organization supports human rights for all Ontarians. download
