statements | Ontario Human Rights Commission

Official statements from the OHRC

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.

Systemic barriers tarnish progress marking 20th anniversary of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

Twenty years ago, on June 13, 2005, the AODA took effect after all parties of the Legislature unanimously passed this ground breaking law. This landmark legislation set 2025 as the target year for achieving accessibility in Ontario. Although there has been much progress, in the targeted year, that goal is largely unmet.

Context guide for the Policy statement on Indigenous-specific hiring

With consideration for the limited scope of the Policy Statement on Indigenous-specific hiring, this supplemental context guide was developed to provide a more thorough understanding of the complexities at hand when discussing Indigenous identity and the implementation of human rights practices that impact Indigenous people.

Policy statement on Indigenous-specific hiring

Over the past several years, the OHRC has learned that there is significant demand from non-Indigenous employers for guidance on how to appropriately hire for Indigenous-specific positions, while meeting their obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code). The need for this guidance has been exacerbated by widespread reports of alleged Indigenous identity fraud by non-Indigenous people.

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 working to ensure equality in the education system

September 21, 2023

On September 6, 2023, the Ontario Court of Appeal granted the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) leave to intervene in the case of Ontario Teacher Candidates’ Council et al. v Ontario (Ministry of Education).

OHRC Statement: No Room for Hate in Schools

September 12, 2023

As the school year begins, we must actively and intentionally work to end the scourges of hate and violence in our education systems and communities.

OHRC releases its 2022–23 annual report: Building on the Legacy: Collaboration, Action and Accountability Towards an Inclusive Society

June 30, 2023

the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released Building on the Legacy: Collaboration, Action and Accountability Towards an Inclusive Society, its 2022–2023 annual report.

OHRC Statement on Anti-Hate

June 13, 2023

As this school year ends, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) takes this opportunity to reflect on what it heard concerning the challenges faced by students, parents, educators, and administrators in Ontario’s public education system.

Accountability and timely action key to addressing systemic discrimination in policing

February 15, 2023

On February 1, 2023, five Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers in British Columbia were charged with manslaughter and obstruction of justice in the 2017 death of Dale Culver, a member of Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan First Nations, and father of three children who was killed in custody.

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