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Letters

Re: Census questionnaire

July 15, 2010 - I am writing to you regarding the Federal Government’s intent to end the mandatory requirement for completing the detailed Census questionnaire. Data from this survey provides an invaluable resource for measuring human rights equality. The Ontario Human Rights Commission is concerned that a voluntary approach will result in inadequate data that is skewed by self-selection and no longer comparable to previous censuses.

Re: Draft new Zoning By-Law

May 18, 2010 - In September 2009, we raised concerns about the human rights impacts of placing restrictions on housing types which could lead to discrimination against some groups. Many of these concerns have not been resolved by the current draft of the zoning by-law. We strongly encourage the City of Toronto to look again at our September 2009 submission (a copy of which is attached) and our recommendations to resolve the human rights issues.

Re: Submission of the Ontario Human Rights Commission on Bill 21, an Act to regulate retirement homes

May 14, 2010 - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) supports the regulation of retirement homes across the province. However, we ask the Committee to consider specific recommendations to amend the Bill to enhance the ability of retirement homes providers to meet their obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code)

Re: Draft regulation on Quality Assurance Measures for services and supports to adults with a developmental disability

April 20, 2010 - The Ontario Human Rights Commission recently had an opportunity to review your Ministry’s draft regulation for application entities and service agencies that is being considered for enactment under the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008.

Comment of the Ontario Human Rights Commission on the City of Oshawa's Student Accommodation Strategy

March 30, 2010

The OHRC recognizes the work of the City of Oshawa in preparing a strategy that will increase the amount of affordable housing in the community, which will benefit not only young people, but also other people across the community who may be from groups protected by the Human Rights Code ("Code"). Based on our work in this area, we have made several recommendations for the City's consideration, which we believe will help promote a culture of human rights and will support compliance with the Code.

Letter to the Editor, Toronto Star Re:Canada's ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

March 12, 2010 - Canada’s ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an important step forward. Much more than “just another treaty”, the Convention is, essentially, Canada’s promise to protect, promote and advance the rights of people with disabilities.

Letter to the Editor, Toronto Star Re: 'Tenant-friendly' buildings get thumbs up (6, Feb. 2010)

February 9, 2010 - Making sure rental housing is ‘tenant-friendly’ is a great idea whose time has come. Building respect for human rights into the Certified Rental Building Program makes a good program even better. Kudos to the Federation of Rental-Housing Providers; they are setting a standard for quality that will benefit tenants across Ontario – and their new program makes excellent business sense, too.

Re: AODA Legislative Review

October 30, 2009 - Dear Mr. Beer, Attached is the Submission of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) regarding the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Legislative Review. The OHRC’s observations and recommendations stem from a long history of promoting and enforcing the rights of persons with disabilities, including commenting on successive government legislation leading to the AODA.

Re: Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

July 28, 2009 - Unequal enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights is an affront to dignity and ultimately restricts the ability of persons with disabilities to contribute fully to the development and well-being of the community, the Province and the country. For this reason, the Ontario Human Rights Commission is encouraging the Government of Canada to ratify and implement without delay and give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that it signed more than two years ago.

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