New Chief Commissioner committed to strengthening the human rights culture in Ontario

For immediate publication 

Toronto - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) celebrates International Human Rights Day today with a reception for stakeholders hosted by Barbara Hall, the Commission’s new Chief Commissioner. 

“International Human Rights Day is an excellent time to reflect on the progress that our society has made in human rights, and also on the areas where we still have work to do,” said Ms. Hall. “Human rights are an integral part of how our society functions. Everyone has a responsibility to work towards strengthening a culture of human rights in our institutions, our cities, and our schools. I look forward to working with the Commission to build on existing successes.”

Each year on December 10th, the United Nations’ International Human Rights Day commemorates the 1948 signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the document upon which the Ontario Human Rights Code is based. 

Ms. Hall, who began her term as Chief Commissioner last month, is a former Mayor of the City of Toronto, and a former chair of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention. Ms. Hall replaces Mr. Ivan Oliveira, who had served as interim Chief Commissioner since October, when former Chief Commissioner Keith Norton’s term came to an end.

More information about the Commission and the Ontario Human Rights Code is available online on the Commission's Web site.

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