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OHRC statement on human rights, extreme heat waves and air conditioning

August 19, 2022

The Ontario Human Rights Commission calls on the Government of Ontario to include air conditioning as a vital service, like the provision of heat, under RTA regulations and to establish a provincial maximum temperature to make sure that vulnerable Code-protected tenants are protected against threats of eviction for using safely installed air conditioning units.

OHRC letter and submission on Canada's report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

August 12, 2022

The OHRC has prepared a submission in response to Canadian Heritage’s request for the views of human rights commissions to inform the Government of Canada as it prepares Canada's combined 24th and 25th periodic report to the United Nations on its implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

OHRC letter to Town of Kingsville on migrant worker housing

June 24, 2022

The OHRC understands that the Town of Kingsville’s study, Kingsville Temporary Foreign Worker – Final Report, has now been completed and will be discussed by Council on Monday June 27, 2022. Upon reviewing the study and the proposed recommendations, the OHRC is very concerned that the recommendations would, if implemented, continue to create discriminatory barriers to migrant workers living as full members of the Kingsville community.

OHRC invites community participation in joint Peel Regional Police-OHRC community engagement sessions to address systemic racism in Peel policing

March 14, 2022

The OHRC and Peel Regional Police invite people who live or work in Mississauga or Brampton to register to take part in one of four online community engagement sessions on measures to address systemic racism in Peel policing.

OHRC letter to Minister of Colleges and Universities to support access to menstrual hygiene products in universities and colleges

March 8, 2022

I am writing to reinforce the Toronto Youth Cabinet’s call on the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to support all Ontario colleges and universities in providing free access to menstrual hygiene products to students.

OHRC Right to Read inquiry calls for critical changes to Ontario’s approach to early reading

February 28, 2022

TORONTO – Today the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its Right to Read inquiry report on human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities, calling for critical changes to Ontario’s approach to early reading, in areas such as curriculum and instruction, screening, reading interventions, accommodations and professional assessments.

OHRC launches the Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Human Rights Code

February 17, 2022

Today the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) launched the Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Human Rights Code and to share, recognize and celebrate the achievements made to advance human rights across Ontario.

Letter and submission to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on proposed regulatory amendments under the Housing Services Act

February 17, 2022

I am writing today to provide the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) submission on the government’s Proposed Regulatory Amendments under the Housing Services Act, 2011 – Reg. 367/11. The OHRC is committed to bringing a human rights perspective to government strategies aimed at addressing poverty, homelessness and hunger.

OHRC statement on Black History Month: Using the past to build an equitable future

February 1, 2022

Throughout February, the OHRC and people across Canada pause to honour and celebrate the immense achievements and contributions that Black people have made, and continue to make, across all sectors of society. We celebrate Black people’s determination, perseverance, resilience, and strength toward growing a more inclusive and just society.

2021 year-end highlights: A brief look at OHRC’s work this year

December 22, 2021

2021 has been a year of recovery, human rights challenges and adapting to the new normal. Through it, the Ontario Human Rights Commission has relentlessly continued to address pervasive inequities and systemic discrimination and racism with measures grounded in the Ontario Human Rights Code. As the journey continues, take a moment to look at some of the highlighted work of the OHRC from 2021.

OHRC letter to Ontario government ministers on the online health card renewal service

December 20, 2021

The Human Rights Code requires proactive planning to prevent or remove barriers to people with disabilities and older adults in services. The OHRC has written to government ministers to encourage them to make sure people with disabilities and older adults will have the same opportunity as others to obtain the health card renewal online.

Law Commission of Ontario, Ontario Human Rights Commission and Canadian Human Rights Commission working together on human rights and the use of artificial intelligence

December 10, 2021

Today on Human Rights Day, the Law Commission of Ontario, the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the Canadian Human Rights Commission announced a joint research and policy initiative to examine human rights issues in the development, use and governance of artificial intelligence and algorithms in Canada and specifically in Ontario.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Let's ensure all people with disabilities benefit equally from measures to address the pandemic

December 3, 2021

Since 1992, the world has been commemorating December 3 as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. While we annually observe this day to promote the human rights of people with disabilities, we need to work daily on resolving the systemic inequities they experience.

Letter to Ontario government ministers on the OHRC’s Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning

November 9, 2021

On November 9, 2021, the OHRC released its Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning. The OHRC has shared this statement with ministers across all relevant sectors, as we believe it will help guide their ministry’s pandemic recovery efforts.

OHRC Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning

November 9, 2021

Engaging the human rights principles contained in the OHRC Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning will result in evidence- and human rights-informed approaches to recovery planning, policy and program design. Rooting the pandemic recovery in human rights principles and proactively taking equity into account will support governments and service providers in meeting their legal obligations to eliminate discrimination and advance substantive equality.

OHRC letter to University of Toronto on the University Mandated Leave of Absence Policy review

November 8, 2021

The OHRC is pleased that the university states it intends to robustly review the University Mandated Leave of Absence Policy (UMLAP). We urge the U of T to take the time to make sure it conducts a proper review, which includes the components in this letter, to identify and address human rights concerns that may arise from the UMLAP and its implementation.

OHRC statement on the 75th anniversary of Viola Desmond’s historic stand against racism

November 8, 2021

Seventy-five years ago today, Viola Desmond took a stand against racism that directly challenged segregation in Canada, and left a legacy of extraordinary courage, perseverance, resilience and dignity that has inspired generations of Black Canadians and others to stand up against racism and discrimination.

OHRC submission to Ministry of Education consultation on strengthening accountability for school board trustees

November 1, 2021

The OHRC welcomes the Ministry of Education’s consultation on strengthening accountability for school board trustees, and is particularly interested in measures to ensure trustees are held accountable if they fail to fulfill their legal obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code).

OHRC letter and submission to Postsecondary Education Standards Development Committee on their recommendations under AODA

November 1, 2021

The OHRC wrote to the Chair of the Postsecondary Education Standards Development Committee to welcome their initial recommendations for developing proposed postsecondary education standards under the AODA, and to provide a submission with additional recommendations.

OHRC letter and submission to K-12 Education Standards Development Committee on their recommendations under the AODA

November 1, 2021

The OHRC wrote to the Chair of the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee to welcome the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee’s 2021 initial recommendations report under the AODA, and to provide a submission with additional recommendations.

Letter to Mayor and Council of Township of Brock on decisions and by-laws on supportive housing

October 12, 2021

The OHRC is concerned that the Township of Brock’s Interim Control By-law 2994-2020 to "prohibit the establishment of Supportive Housing and Modular Construction, including Manufactured Dwelling Houses" creates barriers to establishing and accessing supportive housing, which may be discriminatory under the Human Rights Code. The OHRC calls on Council to remove any barriers that have a discriminatory effect as soon as possible, and to allow such supportive housing projects to proceed.

OHRC Policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates

September 22, 2021

While receiving a COVID-19 vaccine remains voluntary, the OHRC takes the position that mandating and requiring proof of vaccination to protect people at work or when receiving services is generally permissible under the Human Rights Code (Code) as long as protections are put in place to make sure people who are unable to be vaccinated for Code-related reasons are reasonably accommodated.

Submission on TPSB Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Policy

September 22, 2021

In its submission on the Toronto Police Services Board’s Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Policy, the OHRC recommends several actions for the TPSB to take in developing its AI Policy. Consistent with a human rights-based approach, these actions are aimed at protecting vulnerable and marginalized groups that may be disproportionately affected by AI technology used by the TPS. These actions are designed to insure against consequences that would undermine the desired benefits of police services’ efficiency and effectiveness, and public trust in policing.

Update on the OHRC’s work with Peel Regional Police, Board to address systemic racism in policing

September 15, 2021

Under a Memorandum of Understanding reached in 2020, Chief Commissioner Patricia DeGuire and the OHRC continue to work collaboratively with the Peel Regional Police and the Peel Police Services Board to address systemic racism and discrimination in policing. As one of the steps in this process, PRP, PPSB and the OHRC have developed a survey seeking community feedback on experiences with and perceptions of PRP.

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