Archive

The OHRC’s Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability is intended to provide clear, user-friendly guidance on how to assess, handle and resolve human rights matters related to disability. All of society benefits when people with disabilities are encouraged and empowered to take part at all levels.

I am writing today to encourage you to adopt a broad human rights interpretation of the National Inquiry’s Terms of Reference and to offer our support as you pursue your important mandate. 

On August 10, 1974, Edward Nolan died by suicide in a segregation cell at Millhaven Institution in Bath, Ontario. Each year on August 10, we commemorate Prisoners' Justice Day to remember Nolan and all of the prisoners who have died in custody, and to renew calls to respect the basic human rights of prisoners housed in jails, correctional centres, and penitentiaries across the country.

The OHRC is writing today to provide its comments on the Regulation in the hopes that they will be of assistance when it comes time to review the Regulation. 

Background This case involved a transgender boy, Jesse Thompson, who was denied access to the boys’ locker room the rest of his amateur hockey team used during the 2012-2013 hockey season. Jesse alleged that this resulted in him being ‘outed’ as trans, excluded from important team interaction and bonding, and exposed to harassment and bullying.

April 6, 2016 - Dear Minister, I write in regard to your Ministry’s current consultation involving certain provincial and demonstration schools for students with disabilities. Under Ontario’s Human Rights Code, students with disabilities have a right to be free from discrimination. This includes the duty to accommodate students’ disability related needs. That duty also covers the accommodation process and everyone involved.

Ontario’s Open Data DirectiveUnder Ontario’s Open Data Directive, provincial agencies are required to post a public Data Inventory of all the data sets they create, collect and/or manage.Rules, laws and directives for provincial agenciesOpen Data Directive

OHRC and HRPA webinar on preventing discrimination based on creed for HR professionals.

Toronto – The Toronto Police Service Disciplinary Tribunal has denied the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s motion for leave to intervene in the Neptune 4 case on jurisdictional grounds. 

July 8, 2016 - In pursuit of our public interest mandate, section 31 of the Code authorizes the OHRC to request production of documents and gather other information as part of an inquiry. Pursuant to section 31, we are writing to request that you review employee dress codes in your Ontario operations, remove any discriminatory requirements, and provide documentation showing that you have done this.

Renu Mandhane, Chief Commissioner

May 23, 2016 - The OHRC believes that MGCS’ current system for storing and sharing information relating to name and sex designation changes discriminates against trans people in violation of Ontario’s Human Rights Code, insofar as it fails to protect privacy and confidentiality relating to transgender status and transition history. Disclosing information of such a sensitive nature not only harms dignity, but also can expose people to significant barriers, disadvantage, and even health and safety risks.

    2015-2016 Financial Summary (April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016)     2015-2016 Printed Estimates ($’000)  

Outreach, education across Ontario In 2015-16, the OHRC continued to provide training with organizations and communities across Ontario. OHRC staff spoke at 69 public education sessions, reaching over 5,000 people. These face-to-face connections are an important part of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with partners and organizations, and with people who simply want to know more about their rights.

Systemic barriers for transgender persons in police, corrections: Waterman v. TPS & MCSCS

Human rights lens needed for Changing Workplace Review

Better recognition of rights in Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy In a submission to the Government’s review of Ontario’s Affordable Housing Strategy, the OHRC called for, among other things:

OHRC takes up TRC calls to action on child welfare The final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, released in December 2015, catalogues in painstaking detail the cultural genocide perpetrated over a century against Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples (Indigenous peoples). The residential school legacy continues to have a devastating intergenerational impact on Indigenous peoples – including the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in care and the large numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

End sexualized workplace dress codes that discriminate Many restaurants and bars still require women to dress in high heels, tight dresses, low-cut tops and short skirts. Human rights decisions have found these policies and practices to be discriminatory. They make employees more vulnerable to sexual harassment, contribute to discriminatory work environments and exclude people based on sex, gender identity or expression and creed.

By the numbers report highlights experiences of people with mental health and addictions disabilities

Religious discrimination persists Many Canadians believe that religious discrimination is no longer a problem in contemporary society. They point to “multiculturalism,” recent efforts to promote reconciliation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, along with Canadians’ eagerness to resettle Syrian refugees, as proof that we have learned the lessons at the core of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Call to end solitary confinement in Ontario jails

There is an erroneous, romanticized assumption that Canada is a “post-racial” or “race-less” society, with little or no history of racism. – Hodan A. Mohamed and Ruba Ali Al-Hassani, Racial Profiling Policy Dialogue

The Commissioners and staff at the OHRC extend a special thank you to Ruth Goba, who served as Interim Chief Commissioner from February 28 – October 30, 2015. While many people would be happy simply keeping things afloat when serving in an interim role, Ruth chose to go another way. She led us boldly through a challenging time of transition with vision, wisdom and a sense of humour. Ruth helped to build strong community partnerships and was an inspiring leader on carding and racial profiling, and laid a solid foundation for our continued work in this area.