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Race and related grounds

Under the Code, every person has the right to be free from racial discrimination and harassment in the social areas of employment, services, goods, facilities, housing accommodation, contracts and membership in trade and vocational associations. You should not be treated differently because of your race or other related grounds, such as your ancestry, ethnicity, religion or place of origin. 

Canada, its provinces and territories have strong human rights laws and systems in place to address discrimination. At the same time, we also have a legacy of racism – particularly towards Indigenous persons, but to other groups as well including African, Chinese, Japanese, South Asian, Jewish and Muslim Canadians – a legacy that profoundly permeates our systems and structures to this day, affecting the lives of not only racialized persons, but also all people in Canada.

Relevant policies: 

  1. Approval of high-risk technologies under the Toronto Police Services Board's Policy on the use of artificial intelligence technology

    January 10, 2024

    The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the Toronto Police Services Board’s (TPSB) update on its implementation of the Policy on Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology (AI Policy), as well as the inventory of technologies and the details of their use by the Toronto Police Service (TPS), which will be presented at the TPSB meeting on January 11, 2024.

  2. Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) submission to the legislated review of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA)

    The OHRC made previous submissions in 2014 , and in 2017  regarding Bill 89 Supporting Children, Youth and Families Act. The OHRC is pleased that many of its recommendations were incorporated into the current legislation.

  3. Ontario Human Rights Commission is Calling for Written Submissions to Develop an Action Plan to Tackle Anti-Black Racism in Education

    June 27, 2023

    TORONTO — The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has reached an important milestone with the release of its What We Heard Report on anti-Black racism in Ontario’s publicly-funded Education System.

  4. Anti-Black Racism in Education: Call for Written Submissions

    The OHRC launched its What We Heard Report on anti-Black racism in education. To continue engaging in dialogue with other key partners and stakeholders in education, the OHRC is issuing a call for written submissions on concrete solutions to address anti-Black racism in Ontario’s publicly funded education system. The goal is to gather additional information including recommendations for solutions and action to empower and hold duty-holders accountable.

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