The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) approved a Community Engagement Strategy, Communities for change, in 2018 and also committed to reviewing it on an annual basis. This Update summarizes the results of the 2019 review.
By adopting and adhering to its engagement strategy, the OHRC has deepened its relationships with a broad range of individuals and organizations, including NGOs, community groups, Indigenous peoples, the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) and other statutory human rights institutions.
The OHRC remains committed to the core activities outlined in Communities for change. In this update, we identify the following opportunities and priorities for engagement, considering the limitations arising from new government directives:
For 2019 – 2020, the OHRC will prioritize creating durable and reciprocal relationships with duty holders. The OHRC’s Strategic Plan 2017 – 2022 commits it to:
Building on the OHRC’s ongoing collaboration with the Human Rights Professionals Association (HRPA) and based on the success of the CAG, the OHRC will explore creating a “Duty-holders Advisory Group” (DAG) pursuant to s. 31.5 of the Code. The DAG would provide for more robust communication between duty holders and the OHRC, and help identify and apply best practices, and createproducts that allow employers to meet their human rights obligations.
Consistent with its commitment to put people at the centre of its decisions, in 2019 the OHRC will bring together advisory steering committees comprised of Commissioners, CAG members, Elders/leaders, and people with lived experience in priority areas. These advisory steering committees will guide staff in implementing Commissioner-approved initiatives.