2. Purpose of OHRC policies
The OHRC was established in 1961 as an arm’s-length agency of the provincial government. The OHRC’s mandate includes promoting and advancing human rights under the Code through research, policy development, public education, public inquiries, and legal interventions before tribunals and courts. The OHRC is one of three pillars of Ontario’s human rights system. The other two are the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)5 and the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC).6
Section 30 of the Code authorizes the OHRC to prepare, approve and publish human rights policies to provide guidance on interpreting provisions of the Code. The OHRC’s policies and guidelines set standards for how individuals, employers, service providers and policymakers should act to ensure compliance with the Code. Policies represent the OHRC’s interpretation of the Code at the time of publication and advance a progressive understanding of the rights set out in the Code.7