Human rights tribunal decision removes roadblock to employment for refugees
In a significant decision, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) found that Convention refugees should not face discriminatory barriers to accessing employment and contributing fully to Ontario society.
OHRC policy statement on the COVID-19 pandemic
Following the lead of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) urges Ontarians to keep human rights principles under Ontario’s Human Rights Code (Code), the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter) and relevant international human rights treaties at the centre of decision-making during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Letter to Minister Elliott on meeting the health care needs of people without regular immigration status
I am writing today to call on the government to take steps to make sure that Ontario’s health policies are consistent with its human rights obligations. In particular, we encourage the government to fully consider the needs of people without regular immigration status during its ongoing health system transformation.
OHRC calls for reforms to immigrant detention system
Dear Minister Naqvi, I am writing today on behalf of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), to express our concern about detention of non-citizens in Ontario jails under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (immigration detainees).
As you know, in my previous capacity as Executive Director of the International Human Rights Program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, I was the editor of a 2015 report on immigration detention (http://ihrp.law.utoronto.ca/We_Have_No_Rights).
Terror abroad has revealed troubling hate here at home
Such is the nature of our hyper-connected planet that events seemingly worlds away from our day-to-day lives can reverberate in our neighbourhood. That is the power and promise of social media — it makes the world smaller.
The OHRC’s Application for leave to Intervene at the Federal Court of Appeal in Minister of Citizenship and Immigration v. Ishaq
The OHRC sought leave to intervene in an appeal of the Federal Court’s decision to strike down a policy banning citizenship candidates from wearing face coverings during the citizenship oath.
Opinion Editorial: Political will needed to end carding
Editor, The Toronto Star
This week Mark Saunders was sworn in as Chief of the Toronto Police Service. He arrived amid a controversy that marred his predecessor’s final days and one that refuses to go away – the police procedure commonly known as “carding.” As Chief Saunders starts down this new road he has a choice – to hear the voices of the community and work to end racial profiling or to allow a deeply troubling practice to continue.
Letter to Chief Paul Cook, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) President
Chief Paul Cook
President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
Dear Chief Cook,
On behalf of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), I would like to congratulate the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) for its updated version of the LEARN Guideline for Police Record Checks with a clearer presumption against disclosure of non-conviction records.
Canadian citizenship
You cannot be discriminated against because of your citizenship, except where Canadian citizenship is a legal requirement to get a job or get certain services. For example, since the law requires that you must be a Canadian citizen to vote in a municipal or provincial election, this requirement is not discrimination.
Racial harassment: know your rights (brochure)
2012 - Racial harassment may be based on a combination of any of the above characteristics. It may also be because of things related to them, such as if you wear clothing related to your background, speak with an accent or practice a certain religion. It is against the law for anyone to harass you, insult you, or treat you unfairly for any of these reasons.