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

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.

1. OHRC work on a human rights-based approach to COVID-19:

• COVID-19 and Ontario’s Human Rights Code – Questions and Answers
• OHRC Policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates
• OHRC Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning

2. OHRC proposes 10 steps to end systemic racism in policing

3. The OHRC’s work in the area of Artificial Intelligence:

• Law Commission of Ontario, Ontario Human Rights Commission and Canadian Human Rights Commission working together on human rights and the use of artificial intelligence
• OHRC comments on IPC draft privacy guidance on facial recognition for police agencies
• Submission on TPSB Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Policy
• Submission on Ontario’s Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Framework

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

5. OHRC welcomes Chief Commissioner Patricia DeGuire

The OHRC welcomed Patricia DeGuire as the new Chief Commissioner effective Thursday, August 19, 2021.

6. The OHRC at 60 – View our virtual celebration!

On March 29, 2021, the OHRC marked its 60th anniversary with a virtual celebration. This YouTube event on March 29 marked the start of a 15-month period of commemoration and celebration of both the OHRC’s 60th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of Ontario’s Human Rights Code in June 2022.

7. OHRC engages the public to develop a new policy on the discriminatory display of names, words and images

8. OHRC work in the area of housing and anti-poverty:

• Letter to Mayor and Council of Township of Brock on decisions and by-laws on supportive housing
• Letter to the Mayor and Members of Council about the City of Toronto’s proposed new regulatory framework for multi-tenant houses

9. Letter to Universities and Colleges on actions to address systemic discrimination