Archive

July 8, 2016 - In pursuit of our public interest mandate, section 31 of the Code authorizes the OHRC to request production of documents and gather other information as part of an inquiry. Pursuant to section 31, we are writing to request that you review employee dress codes in your Ontario operations, remove any discriminatory requirements, and provide documentation showing that you have done this.

Renu Mandhane, Chief Commissioner

May 23, 2016 - The OHRC believes that MGCS’ current system for storing and sharing information relating to name and sex designation changes discriminates against trans people in violation of Ontario’s Human Rights Code, insofar as it fails to protect privacy and confidentiality relating to transgender status and transition history. Disclosing information of such a sensitive nature not only harms dignity, but also can expose people to significant barriers, disadvantage, and even health and safety risks.

    2015-2016 Financial Summary (April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016)     2015-2016 Printed Estimates ($’000)  

Outreach, education across Ontario In 2015-16, the OHRC continued to provide training with organizations and communities across Ontario. OHRC staff spoke at 69 public education sessions, reaching over 5,000 people. These face-to-face connections are an important part of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with partners and organizations, and with people who simply want to know more about their rights.

Systemic barriers for transgender persons in police, corrections: Waterman v. TPS & MCSCS

Human rights lens needed for Changing Workplace Review

Better recognition of rights in Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy In a submission to the Government’s review of Ontario’s Affordable Housing Strategy, the OHRC called for, among other things:

OHRC takes up TRC calls to action on child welfare The final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, released in December 2015, catalogues in painstaking detail the cultural genocide perpetrated over a century against Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples (Indigenous peoples). The residential school legacy continues to have a devastating intergenerational impact on Indigenous peoples – including the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in care and the large numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

End sexualized workplace dress codes that discriminate Many restaurants and bars still require women to dress in high heels, tight dresses, low-cut tops and short skirts. Human rights decisions have found these policies and practices to be discriminatory. They make employees more vulnerable to sexual harassment, contribute to discriminatory work environments and exclude people based on sex, gender identity or expression and creed.

By the numbers report highlights experiences of people with mental health and addictions disabilities

Religious discrimination persists Many Canadians believe that religious discrimination is no longer a problem in contemporary society. They point to “multiculturalism,” recent efforts to promote reconciliation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, along with Canadians’ eagerness to resettle Syrian refugees, as proof that we have learned the lessons at the core of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Call to end solitary confinement in Ontario jails

There is an erroneous, romanticized assumption that Canada is a “post-racial” or “race-less” society, with little or no history of racism. – Hodan A. Mohamed and Ruba Ali Al-Hassani, Racial Profiling Policy Dialogue

The Commissioners and staff at the OHRC extend a special thank you to Ruth Goba, who served as Interim Chief Commissioner from February 28 – October 30, 2015. While many people would be happy simply keeping things afloat when serving in an interim role, Ruth chose to go another way. She led us boldly through a challenging time of transition with vision, wisdom and a sense of humour. Ruth helped to build strong community partnerships and was an inspiring leader on carding and racial profiling, and laid a solid foundation for our continued work in this area.

Reconnect. Renew. Results. 2015-16 has been a time of transition for the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) – and for me personally, as I took on the role of Chief Commissioner in November. As is my nature, I adopted the “dive right in” approach and, just over six months into my term, the OHRC is well-positioned to embark on a bold new approach that emphasizes community trust, human rights accountability, and measurable impact.

June 30, 2016 Hon. Dave Levac Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Room 180, Main Legislative Building Queen’s Park Toronto, ON M7A 1A2 Dear Mr. Speaker: Under Section 31.6 (2) of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Ontario Human Rights Commission is required to submit a report on the Commission’s activities for the previous fiscal period by June 30th of each year, to be tabled in the Legislature.

On Canada’s 20th annual National Aboriginal Day, we recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and many contributions of First Nations,Inuit and Métis (Indigenous) peoples. As an arms-length agency of government, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) also sees today as an opportunity to restate our commitment to reconciliation and working alongside Indigenous communities across Ontario.

June 15, 2016 - Dear Minister Orazietti, Congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.  The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is looking forward to working closely with you, especially as you continue to review the use of segregation within provincial jails, as well as the treatment of immigration detainees held in provincial custody.

Even though they may be commonplace and normalized across the restaurant industry, sexualized dress codes reinforce stereotypical and sexist notions about women. Human rights decisions dating back to the 1980s have found these to be a violation of human rights laws. Yet they continue in 2016.

This morning we see the faces and hear the stories of the women and men killed and wounded in Orlando. They look and sound like us, our neighbours, our friends, our families. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the victims of the Pulse Nightclub massacre, as well as to their loved ones.

On May 31, 2016, the Court of Appeal for Ontario[1] unanimously upheld decisions by the HRTO, which had found that Sharon Fair (Fair) had been subjected to employment-related discrimination by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (the School Board) and had ordered compensation for special and for general damages ($30,000) as well as an order for Fair’s reinstatement. The HRTO’s decisions had earlier been upheld by the Divisional Court.

May 30. 2016 - In support of your important responsibility to provide input to the Ontario Police College on the development of this training, we would like to highlight our view that training specific to racial profiling must be provided for it to be successful and for there to be meaningful change. 

Civil marriage commissioner and same-sex couple A civil marriage commissioner objects to performing a marriage ceremony for a same-sex couple, claiming that it violates his religious beliefs. He claims that under the Code, he has the right to be free from discrimination based on religion in employment. The couple wishing to receive the service claims that their right under the Code to be free from discrimination because of sexual orientation in services is being breached.

Niqab case Read the following news clipping about a recent competing rights case. This is an example of Charter rights (creed and sex) versus another Charter right (right to a fair trial). You can also watch a short CTV News video about the case.