Policies and guidelines

Over the past several years, the OHRC has learned that there is significant demand from non-Indigenous employers for guidance on how to appropriately hire for Indigenous-specific positions, while meeting their obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code). The need for this guidance has been exacerbated by widespread reports of alleged Indigenous identity fraud by non-Indigenous people.

  The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has prepared this policy statement to raise awareness of people’s rights and legal obligations to prevent and address caste-based discrimination under Ontario’s Human Rights Code (Code).   

 

 

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.

Revised version approved by the OHRC: March 2018View PDF: Policy on accessible education for students with disabilities This Policy replaces the Guidelines on accessible education (2004) 

Approved by the OHRC: July 2018View PDF: Policy statement on cannabis and the Human Rights Code

The Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) recognizes the dignity and worth of every person in Ontario. The Code provides for equal rights and opportunities, and freedom from discrimination. It applies to the areas of employment, housing, facilities and services (including education, health care, etc.), contracts, and membership in unions, trade or professional associations. It covers specific grounds, such as disability, creed, family status, sex, and gender identity.[1]

This policy statement is based on the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) Policy on language and discrimination. The statement explains the relationship between the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code), language-based discrimination and French-language minority rights under other laws.

Education providers are responsible for many things, including delivering a curriculum, managing the various other aspects of educational services, ensuring student safety, fostering pluralistic environments that respect human rights, and managing tension and conflict as they arise in the school setting. Schools ought to be a place for healthy discussions about acceptance and where a diversity of views can co-exist.

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code), employers, unions, housing providers and service providers have a legal duty to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities who are adversely affected by a requirement, rule or standard at work, at school, in housing, or any of the other “social areas” covered by the Code.

Revised version approved by the OHRC: September 2000, 2009, 2016 PDF recommended for assistive technology

Revised version approved by the OHRC: June 27, 2016 PDF recommended for assistive technology This document replaces the Policy and guidelines on disability and the duty to accommodate (2001)

April 2016   We are currently revising our Policy on drug and alcohol testing (2000).  This summary contains some of the important points employers should be aware of in the interim.    The updated policy will be available later this year.

Some Ontario employers require female employees to dress in a sexualized or gender-specific way at work, such as expecting women to wear high heels, short skirts, tight clothing or low-cut tops. These kinds of dress codes reinforce stereotypical and sexist notions about how women should look and may violate Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

Summary

Approved by the OHRC: January 31, 2014 Official release: June 18, 2014 Available in various accessible formats Executive summary People with mental health disabilities or addictions have faced considerable and longstanding discrimination, stigmatization and social exclusion in Canada and across the world. In recognition of this, the Supreme Court of Canada has said:

Approved by the OHRC: January 31, 2014 Official release date: April 14, 2014 Available in accessible formats on request Summary People who are transgender, or gender non-conforming, come from all walks of life. Yet they are one of the most disadvantaged groups in society. Trans people routinely experience discrimination, harassment and even violence because their gender identity or gender expression is different from their birth-assigned sex.

Approved by the OHRC: February 1, 2013 Available in accessible formats on request 1. Introduction Canada is home to immigrants[1] from all over the world. Seen as a place of opportunity, peace and democratic governance, Canada has been able to attract highly-skilled immigrants. In return, Canada’s culture, society and economy have been greatly enriched by their contributions.

Approved by the OHRC January 27, 2011 Updated by the OHRC May 2013 Available in various formats Summary What is sexual harassment? In the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code), sexual harassment is “engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought to be known to be unwelcome.” In some cases, one incident could be serious enough to be sexual harassment.

Summary

Approved by the OHRC: July 21, 2009  OverviewHousing is a human rightHousing is a human right. International law states that Canada must work towards making sure everyone has access to adequate and affordable housing. But some people, based on factors such as race, ancestry, disability, sex, family status and social and economic status, do not receive the housing rights they are entitled to. When multiple factors intersect, the disadvantage increases and people are at even greater risk of discrimination, poverty and even homelessness.

Approved by the Commission: March 28, 2007 Available in various accessible formats Please Note This Policy contains the Commission’s interpretation of provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code relating to family status. It is subject to decisions of the Superior Courts interpreting the Human Rights Code. Any questions regarding this Policy should be directed to the staff of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

ISBN: 0-7794-8397-9 Approved by the Commission: June 9, 2005 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Also available on the Internet: www.ohrc.on.ca Available in other accessible formats on request

ISBN 0-7794-7191-1 Approved by the OHRC: September 29, 2004 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Available in other accessible formats on request Also available on Internet: www.ohrc.on.ca

Approved by the OHRC: March 26, 2002Revised by OHRC: February 1, 2007 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.)Available in other accessible formats upon request

Revised version approved by the Commission: November 23, 2000 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Available in other accessible formats on request

Revised version approved by the OHRC: September 27, 2000 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Available in other accessible formats on request

ISBN: 1-4249-0303-3 Approved by the OHRC: January 11, 2000 Revised by the OHRC: January 25, 2006 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Also available on Internet: www.ohrc.on.ca Available in other accessible formats on request

Approved by the Commission: July 8, 1997 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Available in other accessible formats on request

Approved by the OHRC: November 27, 1996 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Available in other accessible formats on request

Approved by the Commission: October 20, 1996 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Available in other accessible formats on request

ISBN 0-7778-5903-3Approved by the OHRC: June 19, 1996(Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.)Available in other accessible formats on request

Approved by the OHRC: June 19, 1996(Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.)Available in other accessible formats on request

Approved by the OHRC: June 19, 1996 Revised version approved by the OHRC: September 27, 2000 (Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Available in other accessible formats on request

Approved by the Commission: June 19, 1996(Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.) Available in other accessible formats on request

Approved by the Commission: April 9, 1996Revised by the Commission: November 22, 2000(Please note: minor revisions were made in December 2009 to address legislative amendments resulting from the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which came into effect on June 30, 2008.)Available in other accessible formats on request.