Language selector

OHRC makes submission to United Nations on the right to adequate housing

Page controls

November 14, 2014

Page content

October 31, 2014

VIA EMAIL: srhousing@ohchr.org
Ms Leilani Farha
UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Special Procedures Branch
Palais Wilson, Room 3-077
CH – 1211, Geneva 10
Switzerland

Dear Ms Leilani Farha,

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission in response to your survey regarding the responsibilities of sub-national governments with respect to the right to adequate housing.

The OHRC has long recognized the connection between the right to adequate housing, poverty and inequality in all facets of its work.

The OHRC’s submission gives an overview of the domestic mechanisms as well as the challenges in Canada for implementing human rights norms and standards, including the right to adequate housing. It describes the Ontario provincial government mechanisms and strategies as well as the roles that the Ontario Human Rights Commission, other levels of government, the judiciary and civil society play at the sub-national level in promoting and protecting the right to adequate housing without discrimination.

I hope this information is helpful to your review.

We look forward to reading your thematic report to be presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2015 on enhancing accountability of sub-national governments in relation to the right to adequate housing.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Yours truly,

Barbara Hall, B.A, LL.B, Ph.D (hon.)
Chief Commissioner

Copy:

Hon. Ted McMeekin, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Hon. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services

Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur, Attorney General of Ontario

David Langtry, A/Chief Commissioner, Canadian Human Rights Commission