TORONTO – Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released Fostering a Human Rights Culture in Ontario, its 2023–2024 annual report. It is a snapshot of the actions taken and results achieved by the OHRC last year to advance human rights.
Throughout the past year, Ontarians encountered various human rights challenges, including a surge in hate expressions, healthcare disparities, and homelessness. These challenges underscore the significance and value of the Commission's work. Central to the OHRC’s actions is its role of education in advancing, promoting, and safeguarding human rights.
This report highlights the Commission's approach to fostering a human rights culture in Ontario, which involves collaboration and consultation with communities, governments, stakeholders, and other entities to develop policies and recommendations that support people and organisations in cultivating a province where human rights are respected.
Some actions the OHRC has taken this year include:
- the release of the OHRC's final inquiry report into anti-Black racism in the Toronto Police Service
- the release of the OHRC statement on anti-hate and no room for hate in schools
- actively monitoring the progress of the implementation of the Right to Read Inquiry report recommendations
- developing and releasing the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) Framework to help provincial and municipal governments, healthcare providers, employers, advocates, and researchers fulfil their human rights obligations when building policies and programs
“I am grateful to the entire Commission cohort, which serves and supports all Ontarians in making their human rights obligations clear to everyone,” said OHRC Chief Commissioner Patricia DeGuire. “I am honoured to be the servant-leader of such a stellar team who believes that the foundation of our democracy requires everyone to be treated with dignity and respect. With them, I call on all Ontarians to support the OHRC in creating a society where everyone feels they belong.”
Quick Facts
- This is the first annual report since the OHRC released its 2023-2025 strategic plan.
- From Impact to Action, the final report into anti-Black racism by the Toronto Police Service, was seen 55,956 times on social platforms.
- Over 400 people engaged in a dialogue on anti-Black racism in education during 30 consultations across Ontario.
- Over 312,757 people accessed OHRC eLearning.
Learn More
Media contact:
Nick Lombardi – Senior Strategic Communications Advisor
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Email: nick.lombardi@ohrc.on.ca
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