Creed

1. Commission intervenes in court case involving a Muslim woman's right to testify wearing her niqab (face covering)

   The central issue in this appeal is the apparent conflict between the intersecting religious and equality rights of a witness and the fair trial rights of the accused in the context of a criminal proceeding. The OHRC’s submissions set out a process, based in existing case law, to analyze and reconcile potentially competing rights. The proposed process can apply, with appropriate modifications, to any competing rights claims whether they arise under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter), human rights legislation, the common law or otherwise.

2. As an employer do I have to give people time off for religious leave? Do I also have to pay them?

   From: Frequently asked questions

   Organizations have a duty to accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs and practices unless they can show that it would cause undue hardship.  Employers may be able to fulfill their duty to accommodate religious observances requiring a leave of absence in a number of ways, depending on the circumstances.

3. Living rights and creed

   People share their personal stories and ideas about discrimination because of religion, and the challenges of balancing religious rights with other rights.

4. Private school tax credit (fact sheet)

   July 2002 - While not referring to any existing private schools, Chief Commissioner Keith C. Norton has publicly expressed concerns regarding the Ontario government’s proposed tax credit for parents who send their children to private schools.

5. Aboriginal Peoples in Ontario and the Ontario Human Rights Code (brochure)

   2012 - The Ontario Human Rights Code is a provincial law that gives everybody equal rights and opportunities, without discrimination, in jobs, housing, services (such as stores or restaurants), facilities (such as schools or hospitals), unions and professional associations, and contracts or agreements.

6. Creed, freedom of religion and human rights - Special issue of Diversity Magazine - Volume 9:3 Summer 2012

   The articles presented here offer many insights on human rights, creed, freedom of religion and the law, and take many different positions based on many different perspectives. These articles serve as a starting point as we move forward to craft a new creed policy that reflects the changing needs and realities of today’s Ontarians.

7. Taking a fresh look at creed

   From: Annual Report 2011-2012 - Human rights: the next generation

   From the very beginning 50 years ago, Ontario’s Human Rights Code included protection from discrimination because of creed. Half a century later, creed continues to be an area of discussion and sometimes conflict in communities across Ontario and across Canada.

8. Human rights and creed

   November 2012 - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is updating its Policy on Creed and the Accommodation of Religious Observances. This page provides some general background information about the update, and what may be changing in the updated policy. It will be revised as the creed project evolves.

9. Creed case law review

   May 2012 - What follows is a discussion of significant legal decisions dealing with religious and creed rights in Canada. The focus is on decisions made since the Commission issued its 1996 Policy on Creed and the Accommodation of religious observances. It does not review every decision, but those that may be important from a human rights perspective. In addition to a description of the case law, trends and areas where it is anticipated the case law will continue to evolve or be clarified are identified. The review will form the basis for further research and dialogue concerning the law in Canada as it relates to this significant area of human rights.

10. Racial harassment: know your rights (brochure)

    2012 - Racial harassment may be based on a combination of any of the above characteristics. It may also be because of things related to them, such as if you wear clothing related to your background, speak with an accent or practice a certain religion. It is against the law for anyone to harass you, insult you, or treat you unfairly for any of these reasons.

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