Archive

Toronto – Today, the OHRC released a new policy statement explaining the relationship between the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code), language-based discrimination and French-language minority rights under other laws.

June 15, 2017 - Dear Minister MacCharles, I trust this finds you well. I am writing to commend you on your Ministry’s leadership in development of the new OPS Gender Identity Policy - Gender Identity and Sex Information on Public-Facing Government Products and Forms, and to call on you to build on this important work by removing other human rights barriers that face people with diverse gender identities and gender expressions across government.

June 21, 2017 - Dear Minister Naqvi, in our strategic plan, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) committed to using our mandate and powers to advance human rights by making clear how systemic discrimination causes and sustains poverty. To that end, we are writing today to urge the government to repeal the Safe Streets Act.

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Toronto – Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released With learning in mind, a new inquiry report that describes systemic barriers that students with mental health disabilities experience in post-secondary schools. It also outlines the changes the OHRC called for in college and university policies and programs, and the progress these institutions have made in implementing the changes.

November 3, 2016 Dr. Joel Kirsh President  College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario 80 College Street Toronto, Ontario  M5G 2E2 Dear Dr. Kirsh: Re: OHRC Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability

April 1, 2016 Hon. Reza Moridi Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Ferguson Block 12th Floor, 77 Wellesley Street Toronto, ON  M7A 1N3 Dear Minister: Re: Diagnosis requirements for OSAP and federal grants The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has a mandate to identify, prevent, and eliminate discrimination, and to promote human rights within the province using a range of powers under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code).

June 9, 2016 Letter addressed to Presidents of University of Guelph, Queen’s University, Carleton University, Brock University, Trent University, University of Ottawa, Ryerson University, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Western University, University of Waterloo, Nipissing University, McMaster University, Algoma University, University of Windsor, Lakehead University, Laurentian University, University of Toronto, Wilfrid Laurier University and Council of Ontario Universities Re: Medical documentation guidelines and accommodation

Re: Medical documentation guidelines and accommodation I am writing to all public colleges and universities in Ontario about medical documentation guidelines and accommodation for post-secondary students with mental health disabilities.

Post-secondary institutions have reported encouraging changes to policies, guidelines and practices aimed at removing barriers for accessing appropriate accommodations. Some post-secondary institutions, as well as the COU, have highlighted the need for a consistent, sector-wide approach to medical documentation.

Medical professionals play a key role when persons with disabilities are seeking accommodations so they can equally benefit from and take part in social areas covered under the Code.

One of the obstacles to removing the emphasis on disclosure of diagnosis had been the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ (MTCU) requirement for a DSM diagnosis when applying for bursaries and grants for students with disabilities.

In response to the OHRC’s inquiry, several institutions reported policies or practices that raise concerns.

All public colleges and universities reported back to the OHRC.

In keeping with its systemic mandate, the OHRC sought to spread the positive results achieved at one university to all public colleges and universities in Ontario. To that end, in 2016 the OHRC wrote to all public colleges and universities in Ontario asking them to implement six specific measures to reduce systemic barriers to post-secondary education for students with mental health disabilities (Appendix 1).

The OHRC’s 2014 Policy on preventing discrimination based on mental health disabilities and addictions[7] (mental health policy) outlines the medical information to be provided when seeking accommodation. It states that a person is generally required to provide confirmation of a disability, limitations and types of accommodations being requested.

Employment and Social Development Canada projects that two-thirds of job openings from 2011-2020 will be in occupations that generally require post-secondary education (college, university or vocational) or management occupations.[1] At the same time, people with mental health disabilities face several challenges in post-secondary settings.

May 19, 2017 - Dear Minister Naqvi and Directors McNeilly and Loparco, I hope this finds all of you well. We are writing today to urge the Government of Ontario to implement all of Justice Tulloch’s recommendations.  Implementation of all the recommendations contained in the Report would be a significant step forward in terms of rebuilding public trust in law enforcement and, ultimately, increasing public safety.  A piece-meal approach, on the other hand, is unlikely to be as effective.

This policy statement is based on the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) Policy on language and discrimination. The statement explains the relationship between the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code), language-based discrimination and French-language minority rights under other laws.

May 16, 2017 - Dear Councillor El-Chantiry, Today the Ottawa Police Services Board is receiving the results of Phase III of the Ottawa Police Services Gender Project.  As you know, the project arises out of a settlement reached with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (Commission) in a human rights case filed by a female Ottawa Police Services (OPS) officer. 

Toronto – The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the first report of Ontario’s Independent Advisor on Corrections Reform, Howard Sapers, on the use of segregation in Ontario’s correctional system.

In 2016, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) wrote to public colleges and universities in Ontario asking them to implement six specific measures to reduce systemic barriers to post-secondary education for students with mental health disabilities. This report describes the systemic barriers identified by the OHRC, the modifications to post-secondary institutions’ policies and procedures requested by the OHRC, and the institutions’ self-reported progress in implementing the requested changes.

May 2017 - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is responsible for promoting and advancing human rights and preventing systemic discrimination. The OHRC has several functions under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code), including the power to monitor and report on anything related to the state of human rights in Ontario. This includes reviewing legislation, regulations and policies for consistency with the Code.

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Toronto - A new report by the OHRC confirms that racial profiling is a daily reality that damages communities and undermines trust in public institutions. In Under suspicion: Research and consultation report on racial profiling in Ontario, the OHRC combines social science research with lived experiences gained through consultation with over 1,600 individuals and organizations.