Archive

Thank you for your letter dated July 26, 2019, and for meeting with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on September 17 to discuss the government’s efforts to address systemic anti-Black racism in the OPS. In addition to our meetings with your office, the OHRC has met with the Black OPS employee network (BOPSers), as well as with individual employees with personal experiences of anti-Black racism in the OPS.

I am writing on behalf of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) with regard to the government’s public consultation into Ontario’s child welfare system.

Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) launched Right to Read, a public inquiry into human rights issues that affect students with reading disabilities in Ontario’s public education system.

[The] public school refused to acknowledge or accept the dyslexia diagnosis until she was seven. … Without timely remediation, my daughter is barely able to read and write in English as she enters Grade 3. … In the meantime, her mental health is strained because she is keenly aware of her learning differences and extremely frustrated by the fact that she struggles to read and write. … Last year she asked Santa Claus for “the power to read” – she’s still wondering if she’ll ever get her wish. Parent of 8-year-old  

The Learning Disabilities Associations (LDAs) across Canada started from the Toronto office in 1963 and today is overseen coast-to-coast by the LDA of Canada. The LDAC led the efforts involving the Geoffrey Moore case where the Supreme Court of Canada examined the rights to education and considered the “ramp” required for those with Learning Disabilities to have the access they deserve. Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) is committed to students with Learning Disabilities being given the best possible opportunities to succeed in Ontario schools and there

I trust this letter finds you well. On behalf of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Education. In its 2017-2022 Strategic Plan, the OHRC identified education as a focus area and committed to identifying and addressing the systemic discrimination children and youth face in education.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission is conducting a public inquiry into human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities in Ontario’s public education system.

2023: OHRC submission to the fourth legislated review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)2022: OHRC report Right to Read: Public inquiry into human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities

Reading is a fundamental skill that students must have to navigate their school experience and their later lives. Our public schools should be able to teach students to read. Yet, this may not be the reality for students with reading disabilities.

Contents Introduction Reading disabilities Inquiry Privacy safeguards I.     Administrative safeguards       a.     Minimizing data       b.     Consent       c.     Authorized personnel

On August 26, 2019, Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General (the Ministry) announced proposed amendments to Regulation 778 under the Ministry of Correctional Services Act. The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission on the amendments related to segregation.

Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its new Policy on eliminating racial profiling in law enforcement at the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) CEOs Day. This policy, the first of its kind in Canada, offers practical guidance to help law enforcement identify and end racial profiling. The OACP is committed to the principles outlined in the policy, and more than 20 community and advocacy groups have added their support or endorsement.

Community comments on the Policy on eliminating racial profiling in law enforcement

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to provide a written deputation to the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) on its Policy on Race-Based Data Collection, Analysis and Public Reporting, which is being considered for approval at its September 19, 2019 meeting.

This report summarizes the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) observations and recommendations on the issues of homelessness and drug addiction in Kenora, Ontario. Under section 29 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the OHRC can initiate reviews and inquiries and make recommendations related to incidents of tension or conflict in a community.

The OHRC is aware that the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) is considering amending its Code of Conduct to specifically include gender identity, gender expression, family status and marital status as grounds upon which members of the TCDSB community cannot be treated unfairly. Our understanding is that this issue is being specifically considered by the Catholic Education and Living our Catholic Values Sub-committee on September 25, 2019.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) on its Draft Policy on Race-Based Data Collection, Analysis and Public Reporting (Draft Policy).

All students deserve to see themselves and their families reflected in Ontario’s mandatory education curriculum, and should receive information necessary to protect their health and well-being. Over the past year, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has taken many steps to make this vision a reality.

This policy is about identifying and preventing both individual and systemic racial profiling in law enforcement. It is meant to be a resource, primarily for law enforcement authorities.

I am writing today about the Kenora emergency shelter (shelter) operated by the Ne-Chee Friendship Centre in conjunction with the provincially-funded Kenora District Services Board (KDSB).

Thank you for providing the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) with the opportunity to tour Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre (HWDC) on July 15, 2019. I am writing today to provide a summary of what we learned...

This opinion editorial by Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane was published in the Globe and Mail on July 23, 2019.

I wish to commend the government of Canada on the recently released Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2020.

 I am writing on behalf of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to commend the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) on its recent commitments to implement a comprehensive system-wide anti-racism strategy to prevent racial profiling, and to change the structure and culture of the Transit Enforcement Unit. 

I am writing today to call on the government to take steps to make sure that Ontario’s health policies are consistent with its human rights obligations. In particular, we encourage the government to fully consider the needs of people without regular immigration status during its ongoing health system transformation.