This page provides information, policies, statements and resources on human rights and obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related Resources
- COVID-19 and Ontario's Human Rights Code - Questions and Answers
- Letter to Ontario government ministers on the OHRC’s Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning
- OHRC second response to request for an OHRC inquiry on the institutionalization of older adults in Ontario (SSAO)
- OHRC response to letter requesting an OHRC inquiry on the institutionalization of older adults in Ontario (SSAO)
- OHRC response to letter requesting an OHRC inquiry on the institutionalization of older adults in Ontario
- New letter to Minister of Health on critical care triage protocol
- General (Retired) Rick Hillier’s response to OHRC’s call for human rights considerations in COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning
- Letter to General (Retired) Rick Hillier on human rights principles and considerations for coronavirus vaccine distribution
- Letter to Minister of Health to follow-up on critical care triage protocol
- Letter to Minister of Health to follow up on Bioethics Table recommendations and proposed framework for a COVID-19 triage protocol
- Letter to the Minister of Health on Bioethics Table recommendations and proposed framework for a COVID-19 triage protocol
- Letter to the Hon. Associate Chief Justice Frank N. Marrocco on taking a human rights approach at the Independent Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission
- Letter to the special advisor of the Ontario Health Data Platform about data collection
- Letter to the Minister of Education, school leaders on respecting the rights of students with disabilities
- Letter to the Minister of Education about convening a return-to-school partnership table
- OHRC letter to Sudbury landlords who refuse to rent housing to people on ODSP and Ontario Works without direct payment agreements
- OHRC submission to the Ministry of Health on the proposed amendments to Ontario Regulation 329/04 made under the Personal Health Information Protection Act
- Letter to Minister Christine Elliott re: COVID-19 Action Plan for Vulnerable People
- Letter to President/CEO of Ontario Health re: COVID-19 triage protocol, data collection, essential support persons
- OHRC Letter to Solicitor General Jones on COVID-19 transmission in correctional facilities
- Letter to Minister Elliott on Potential human rights issues in the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 response
OHRC statement on the human rights impacts of Omicron and school closures
Mounting evidence shows that groups identified under Ontario’s Human Rights Code have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. These effects are being exacerbated by the current Omicron wave and the recent decisions to close and reopen schools.
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.
Letter to Ontario government ministers on the OHRC’s Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning
On November 9, 2021, the OHRC released its Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning. The OHRC has shared this statement with ministers across all relevant sectors, as we believe it will help guide their ministry’s pandemic recovery efforts.
OHRC Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning
Engaging the human rights principles contained in the OHRC Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning will result in evidence- and human rights-informed approaches to recovery planning, policy and program design. Rooting the pandemic recovery in human rights principles and proactively taking equity into account will support governments and service providers in meeting their legal obligations to eliminate discrimination and advance substantive equality.
OHRC Policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates
While receiving a COVID-19 vaccine remains voluntary, the OHRC takes the position that mandating and requiring proof of vaccination to protect people at work or when receiving services is generally permissible under the Human Rights Code (Code) as long as protections are put in place to make sure people who are unable to be vaccinated for Code-related reasons are reasonably accommodated.
OHRC second response to request for an OHRC inquiry on the institutionalization of older adults in Ontario (SSAO)
The OHRC responded to a second request from Seniors for Social Action Ontario for the OHRC to undertake a section 31 public interest inquiry into the institutionalization of older adults in Ontario.
OHRC statement calling on Ontario’s justice sector to fight COVID-19 by keeping prison custody numbers low
To keep Ontario’s people and communities safe, it is critical for Ontario’s justice sector to once again make sure the prison custody numbers come down and stay down.
OHRC urges Ontarians to respect the human rights of South Asian communities
The OHRC is concerned about accounts from members of Ontario’s South Asian communities of hate and stigmatization in reaction to the ongoing COVID-19 humanitarian crisis in India.
OHRC statement on government’s expansion of police powers during COVID stay-at-home order
The OHRC is concerned that the most recent expansion of police discretionary power to enforce the latest “stay-at-home order” will likely result in a disproportionate impact on members of marginalized and vulnerable communities.