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As 2022 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on this year’s highlights. In the Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) noted the pandemic has exacerbated human rights challenges. For example, areas with greater aggravation included systemic racism and discrimination against Code-protected groups in areas such as housing, education, employment, and health. The rise in human rights issues required increased leadership from duty-holders including all levels of government.
The OHRC has remains steadfast towards to promoting, protecting, and advancing human rights of vulnerable and Code-protected people.
Below the OHRC shares highlights of his activities in 2022:
- Right to Read inquiry report: public inquiry into human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities
- HRTO finds discrimination in OPP DNA sweep of migrant workers
- Pay equity for midwives upheld by Ontario’s highest court
- Celebrating 60 years of the Human Rights Code, the OHRC presented its inaugural Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards to showcase the critical work of people in Ontario who are changing the human rights landscape in a positive way. In collaboration with TMU, the OHRC also hosted a virtual conference: Human Rights @ 60, Reflecting and reimagining.
- Letter to Town of Kingsville on migrant worker housing
- Statement on human rights, extreme heat waves and air conditioning
- Letter and submission on Equipment and Use of Force Regulatory Amendment and Implementation of Modernized Use of Force Report
- Letter and submission on modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Searches of People in Custody in Ontario’s Adult Correctional Institutions
- The OHRC launched Poverty Point of View (POV) to engage with the public, through a survey, key informant discussions and other steps, on their lived experiences with poverty, including homelessness and safe housing, mental health and addiction disability services.
- Submissions on More Homes Built Faster Act
- Human Rights Day video: Watch children and youth ask us about their rights
- Towards the end of the year, the OHRC released a statement on human rights and encampments and shelter closings.
The OHRC’s commitment towards protecting vulnerable and Code-protected people remains steadfast. Follow the OHRC on social media for updates. See you in the new year!