place of origin | Ontario Human Rights Commission

OHRC Makes Recommendations Regarding Bill 33

August 18, 2025

In a recent submission to the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) reiterated its call for an evidence-based approach to the routine presence of police in Ontario’s schools. In its submission to the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, the OHRC also highlights that colleges and universities admissions should uphold the principles of substantive equality.

Centring human rights in Ontario’s workplaces

July 2, 2025

The Ontario Human Rights Code provides the foundation to build inclusive initiatives by enabling employers and employees to understand and act on their human rights obligations in workspaces. 

OHRC’s Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) prepares this submission to provide information to the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism on the OHRC’s work over two decades navigating intersectionality from a racial justice perspective. This submission aims to assist the Special Rapporteur in the preparation of her report to the 59th session of the Human Rights Council as well as support human rights advocacy in Ontario.

OHRC’s Policy position on caste-based discrimination

October 26, 2023

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has prepared this policy statement to raise awareness of people’s rights and legal obligations to prevent and address caste-based discrimination under Ontario’s Human Rights Code (Code).

OHRC Director of Policy, Education, Monitoring and Outreach calls for a province-wide anti-hate strategy

Summary:

Recently, OHRC Director of Policy, Education, Monitoring and Outreach, Juliette Nicolet, joined Radio-Canada - Jonction 11-17 for an interview calling for a province-wide anti-hate strategy, to galvanize and support public action.

Combatting anti-Indigenous discrimination and harassment in retail settings

July 17, 2025

TORONTO – Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), and the Indigenous Human Rights Program (a partnership between Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC)) released a guide and two fact sheets, to address anti-Indigenous discrimination and harassment in retail. These resources provide practical human rights information to retailers and Indigenous people (shoppers or retail staff members) on recognizing, preventing, and remedying anti-Indigenous discrimination and harassment in retail settings.

Submission to the United Nations International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) prepares this submission to provide information to the United Nations (UN) International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement (Expert Mechanism). This submission aims to assist the Expert Mechanism in the preparation of their fourth report to the Human Rights Council, which focuses on systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent in the criminal justice system. This submission also aims to amplify the OHRC’s advocacy against racial discrimination, particularly anti-Black discrimination, in Ontario’s criminal justice system for the benefit of all Ontarians.

Statement on tackling anti-Black racism in education

March 8, 2023

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has been inspired and encouraged to see communities honour the legacies of Black people and celebrate Black joy. Indeed, experiences, histories, and identities differ among Black communities, but common to their experiences are talent, skill, dignity, and excellence, which reflect Black joy.

OHRC follow-up letter to the Town of Kingsville on housing for migrant workers

August 30, 2022

As Kingsville Council moves forward in its review of the proposed draft Official Plan Amendments and draft Zoning By-Law Amendments, the OHRC urges Council to make decisions that are consistent with the Code and support the dignity and well-being of all community members.

HRTO finds discrimination in OPP DNA sweep of migrant workers

August 18, 2022

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) found that the Ontario Provincial Police discriminated based on race, colour and place of origin when it conducted a DNA sweep of migrant workers in a sexual assault investigation in Elgin County, Ontario in 2013.

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