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Census family: A married couple and the children, if any, of either or both spouses; a couple living common-law and the children, if any, of either or both partners; or, a lone parent of any marital status with at least one child living in the same dwelling and the child or children. All members of a particular census family live in the same dwelling. A couple may be of opposite or same sex.

More information on the lives of people with mental health and addiction disabilities could be collected on other variables. For example, contact with the criminal justice system is an important indicator of marginalization and social exclusion.[42] Similarly, knowing what proportion of this group live in collective dwellings (such as hospitals, group homes and lodging houses) or are homeless across Ontario would provide a better understanding of their housing needs.  

Ontarians with disabilities, especially people with mental health and addiction disabilities, continue to face disparities on several social and economic indicators compared to people without disabilities. They have a higher unemployment rate, are more likely to be in low income status, have lower educational levels and are less likely to live in adequate, affordable housing.

This section provides a snapshot of persons with mental health and addiction disabilities. It also looks at these socio-economic indicators: housing, education, labour force, discrimination in the workplace and income. 3.1. Prevalence of disability Figure 1. Prevalence of disability among adults aged 15 and older, Ontario, 2012

To prepare this report, the OHRC worked with Statistics Canada to identify the appropriate variables from different surveys. The OHRC received customized data tables, based on the methodology and analysis used by Statistics Canada. 2.1. Data sources Canadian Survey on Disability, 2012 (CSD):

September 18, 2015 - Dear Minister, The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is pleased to make this submission to the Ministry of Labour’s Changing Workplaces Review.

August 26, 2015 - Affordable and supportive housing are important to many protected groups under the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code), such as young persons, younger or single-parent families, persons with disabilities, racialized and Indigenous persons, and people who receive public assistance. Opposition to affordable and supportive housing is often based on negative stereotypes and attitudes about persons who will live there. Rules or policies that restrict or reduce affordable and supportive housing may be discriminatory.

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.