News Centre

 TORONTO - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is pleased to announce that nominations are open for the Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards. The purpose of these awards is to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions towards changing the human rights landscape and honour their achievements of advancing, promoting, and fostering a human rights culture across Ontario.  

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.

 In a decision issued on April 2, 2024, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice struck down sections of the Safe Streets Act that prohibit panhandling in certain circumstances, effective immediately.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) recently learned that on February 28, 2024, Cobourg’s Town Council passed a by-law to license and regulate Emergency Care Establishments, which will be implemented on March 28, 2024.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released "From Impact to Action", its final report on anti-Black racism by the Toronto Police Service (TPS) in December 2023. The OHRC's report and recommendations underscore the importance of effectively addressing systemic racism and discrimination in law enforcement to build safer and more inclusive communities. This is the OHRC’s written deputation to the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB). It is a response to the TPS and TPSB's written update to the Board on the status of implementing over 100 recommendations provided in the OHRC’s final report.  

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, the Divisional Court dismissed an application for judicial review in the case of London Catholic District School Board v Weilgosh.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission on the proposed Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act, 2023. This submission concerns Section 8 amendments to the Employment Standards Act relating to Canadian experience and artificial intelligence.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the Toronto Police Services Board’s (TPSB) update on its implementation of the Policy on Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology (AI Policy), as well as the inventory of technologies and the details of their use by the Toronto Police Service (TPS), which will be presented at the TPSB meeting on January 11, 2024.

TORONTO - Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released From Impact to Action, the final report on its inquiry into anti-Black racism by the Toronto Police Service (TPS). The report includes over 100 recommendations for meaningful actions to improve outcomes for Black communities when interacting with the TPS.

Patricia DeGuire, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, along with acting Executive Director Michael Harris will provide remarks and hold a media availability about the OHRC’s final report on its inquiry into anti-Black racism by the Toronto Police Service. 

Recently, OHRC Director of Policy, Education, Monitoring and Outreach, Juliette Nicolet, joined Radio-Canada - Jonction 11-17 for an interview to discuss the OHRC’s anti-Black racism in education Action Plan.

Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) Framework, a new web-based educational tool to support the public, governments, service providers and employers across the province to design and develop policies and programs that meet their obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code. The framework can also be used by advocates and researchers to help bring a human rights approach to their campaigns and projects.   

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). 

TORONTO — The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is launching community engagement sessions to hear from community members, organizations, and the education sector about solutions to tackle anti-Black racism in Ontario’s public-funded funded education system.

September 2023 - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission on the proposed training regulation under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA).

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). 

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.  

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission on the proposed Adequate and Effective (General) Regulation (the Regulation) under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA).

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) extends deep condolences to the family and friends of the late Honourable James K. Bartleman, the 27th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) submission to the legislated review of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA).

The OHRC is saddened to learn of the recent passing of former Commissioner Beverley Noel Salmon. The first Black female Commissioner of the OHRC (1979-1985), Ms. Salmon sought to improve race relations through her involvement with anti-racism training and initiatives. 

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

TORONTO — The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has reached an important milestone with the release of its What We Heard Report on anti-Black racism in Ontario’s publicly-funded Education System.

Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), Peel Regional Police (PRP) and Peel Police Services Board (PPSB) announced the development of initial recommendations to help address systemic racism and discrimination in Peel Regional Police. The work is a result of collaborative and dedicated work between PRP and OHRC beginning in 2020, to develop and implement strategies to identify and address systemic racism in policing.

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.