In 2026, the OHRC turns 65. Discover what this milestone means for you. What will you do to help protect and promote human rights in Ontario? Human rights are everyone’s responsibility.  

Watch the OHRC’s 65th anniversary video

Transcript

Learn more about actions you can take to promote and protect human rights: 

Respect the dignity and worth of every person by:  

• Seeing everyone as a valued member of the community, enabling full contribution and participation, and encouraging people to respect each other.   

Learn about your rights and responsibilities by:  

• Completing the Human Rights 101 e-learning course  
• Reviewing some of the OHRC’s publications such as:   
  • Human Rights at Work  
  • Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability  
  • Policy and guidelines on racism and racial discrimination  
  • Guide to your rights and responsibilities under the Human Rights Code  
• Watch the OHRC’s Did You Know? video series to build everyday awareness about important issues in our society 

Stand up against discrimination:  

• Speak up when you witness harassment, exclusion, or discrimination. Take our Call It Out e-learning course  
• Challenge stereotypes, misinformation, and harmful comments 
• Help connect people with resources on how to learn about human rights. The OHRC website is a great start

Promote inclusion where you live, work, and learn:  

• Support accommodation and accessibility needs using our Policy statement on the duty to accommodate under the Ontario Human Rights Code  
• Strengthen your skills for Teaching Human Rights in Ontario  
• Share OHRC tools that help others understand their rights under the Human Rights Code   

Help build a culture of human rights:  

• Share OHRC human rights resources with colleagues, students, or community groups  
• Model inclusive behaviour in everyday interactions  
• Encourage friends, family members, and coworkers to learn more about human rights  

The OHRC is pleased to mark 65 years of creating a culture of human rights across the province by opening nominations for the 2026 Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards.

As part of its 65th anniversary celebrations, the OHRC is launching a province-wide school tour from Spring 2026 to June 2027. 

Through education and dialogue, the OHRC will inspire students, educators and administrators to understand their rights, respect the rights of others, and see themselves as agents of change to promote and protect human rights in Ontario. 

School visit highlights and student perspectives will be shared throughout the year. Follow the OHRC on social media for updates. 

Conversations that shape human rights - past, present, and future. 

The OHRC has launched a new podcast series to explore the issues, stories, and movements that shape human rights in Ontario. Through thoughtful conversations with leaders, experts, advocates, and community voices, each episode examines topics that matter, from how the Commission is responding to times of rapid change, to insights from the landmark Right to Read inquiry, to the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and more.  

We invite you to tune in to learn about human rights and engage with ideas that help shape a fair and inclusive society where everyone belongs.  

Episode 1: Human rights are for everyone

In this inaugural episode, OHRC Chief Commissioner Patricia DeGuire and OHRC past Executive Director, Michael Harris, with host Jennifer Igbokwe, discuss how the OHRC is responding to current times of change.  

Listen here

Listen Here

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Episode 2: Learning to read is a human right

In the OHRC’s second podcast episode, Reema Khawja, Senior Counsel at the OHRC, Patricia DeGuire, Chief Commissioner at the OHRC and Alicia Smith, Executive Director of Dyslexia Canada, engage in a meaningful discussion about the right to read for all students. The right to read inquiry advocates for evidence-based, inclusive approaches to the development of reading skills in Ontario’s public education system.

Listen here

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Episode 3: Principles for responsible use of AI (coming soon)