News

Attorney General Appoints Commissioners to the Ontario Human Rights Commission

Toronto - (November 8, 2006) [READ MORE]

Toronto (September 28,2006) – A recent settlement negotiated by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) guarantees equality between female and male doctors seeking parental leave benefits from their employers, Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall announced today. [READ MORE]

(August 16, 2006) – Ontario Human Rights Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall was invited to chair a number of sessions at the XVI International AIDS 2006 Conference, including two conference seminars held earlier this week on Hot Topics in Human Rights and HIV/AIDS and Time to Deliver on Stigma and Discrimination. [READ MORE]

(July 27, 2006) – The Ontario Human Rights Commission has produced a new guide called Guide To Releases With Respect To Human Rights Complaints. The Guide has been developed to assist both employers and employees, and will help them to structure termination agreements and releases that reflect appropriate human rights principles. It includes sample text for a release of human rights claim that is consistent with principles expressed by Ontario’s courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. The Guide was approved by the Commission on May 30, 2006. [READ MORE]

Toronto (July 6, 2006) – The Ontario Court of Appeal will issue its decision in Wynberg et al. v. Ontario, a case challenging government funding restrictions on Intensive Behavioural Intervention services (IBI) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). [READ MORE]

Toronto (July 6, 2006) – Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (the "Commission") was joined by representatives of the business, government, and disability communities today while releasing Moving Towards Barrier-Free Services, the Commission’s final report into restaurant accessibility. [READ MORE]

Toronto (June 29, 2006) – On releasing the Commission’s 2005-2006 Annual Report today at Queen’s Park, Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall commented that, "This is a pivotal time for human rights in our province." [READ MORE]

Toronto (May 26, 2006) - A far reaching decision concerning the discriminatory treatment of psychiatric patients was issued by the Human Rights Tribunal on Tuesday, May 25, 2006. [READ MORE]

Toronto (May 24, 2006) - A decision concerning the treatment of transsexual persons detained by police was issued by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario on Tuesday, May 16, 2006. The complainant’s case was referred and argued by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. [READ MORE]

Toronto (May 11, 2006) - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (the "Commission") resolved 2,260 cases in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006, 45 more than last year. 1,291 cases, or 57 per cent, were resolved through negotiated settlements, 256 received Commission decisions after thorough consideration of parties' written submissions, and a further 170 were referred to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (the "Tribunal") for an oral hearing. [READ MORE]

Toronto (May 4, 2006) - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) has initiated a complaint against Goldcorp Inc. (“Goldcorp”), alleging that sections of the company’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy violate the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”). [READ MORE]

(April 28, 2006) - On April 26th, 2006, the Attorney General introduced in the legislature Bill 107, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Code, which, if passed, will reform Ontario’s human rights system. [READ MORE]

Toronto (April 25, 2006) - The Supreme Court of Canada released a far-reaching decision declaring that the Ontario Social Benefits Tribunal has the authority to decide whether a section of the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 (the “ODSPA”) breaches the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”). [READ MORE]

Toronto (April 20, 2006) - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) has reached a settlement in two related employment complaints involving the Toronto Transit Commission (the “TTC”). [READ MORE]

(April 13, 2006) - I would like to clarify my position regarding support for any proposed model to amend the human rights system. Recent reports suggest that I support the direct access model. These statements are inaccurate. I do not support any specific system, and will not until all of the parameters are made public. Any reform must be based on international principles and involve all affected communities. [READ MORE]

Toronto (April 7, 2006) - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) has made an order declaring that paratransit services in Toronto, Hamilton, Windsor and London, are not “special programs.” Rather, these services form part of the legal duty on transit providers under Ontario’s Human Rights Code (the “Code”) to accommodate riders with disabilities who cannot access conventional public transit. [READ MORE]

Learn more about Transit Accessibility

Toronto (March 29, 2006) - The Ontario Human Rights Commission has released an independent research paper on balancing conflicting human rights. Written for the Commission by an external researcher, this paper was prepared as a first step to explore different views and broaden understanding of issues surrounding this topic. [READ MORE]

Toronto (March 22, 2006) - The Ontario Human Rights Commission’s ("OHRC") Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall commemorated March 21st, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, alongside City of Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis, at a public ceremony held at the Mackenzie Hall cultural centre.  Mayor Francis marked the occasion by signing a Declaration of Intent to join a Canadian Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination.  David Walden, the Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO ("CCU") was also present for the event. [READ MORE]

Toronto (March 16, 2006) - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) has released an updated version of its Policy on Discrimination and Harassment because of Sexual Orientation, Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall announced today. [READ MORE]

March 7, 2006

Dear Mr. Bryant:

I have now had an opportunity to discuss your recent announcement regarding changes to the human rights system in Ontario with my fellow Commissioners.  We are pleased that the Government plans to address longstanding issues in the system. [READ MORE]

Read the covering letter
Read the preliminary comments

Toronto (March 2, 2006) - The Supreme Court of Canada released its unanimous decision today in the case of Multani v. Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys. The Court found in favour of Multani, ruling that his religious rights had been infringed. [READ MORE]

Toronto (January 25, 2006) - In a decision released on January 18th, 2006, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has ruled that the Ottawa Chinese Senior Association discriminated when it terminated the membership of one of its members because she practises Falun Gong. [READ MORE]

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