The OHRC regularly makes submissions to various levels of government (provincial, federal and municipal) on laws or regulations that are being considered.
These submissions generally involve looking at the draft laws from a human rights perspective. The OHRC also makes submissions to international bodies like the United Nations, to other organization’s consultation and research projects, and to legal commissions and inquiries.
April 13, 2023
Volker Türk
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Dear High Commissioner Türk,
RE: Submission of the Ontario Human Rights Commission regarding Canada’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
May 6, 2023
The government of Ontario is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) which would clarify and enhance rules related to the installation of air conditioning (A/C) units.
The government of Ontario is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) which would clarify and enhance rules related to the installation of air conditioning (A/C) units.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) was invited to appear before the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples on April 19, 2023 to speak to issues related to Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian human rights framework. OHRC Chief Commissioner Patricia DeGuire was permitted a maximum of 5 minutes to deliver an opening statement.
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (the Committee) invited the Ontario Human Rights Commission (the OHRC) to make a brief submission to the Committee on best practices or policies for combatting anti-Black racism and to share the OHRC’s perspective on a direct tribunal access model compared to a commission screening model for dealing with human rights complaints.
The OHRC made previous submissions in 2014 , and in 2017 regarding Bill 89 Supporting Children, Youth and Families Act. The OHRC is pleased that many of its recommendations were incorporated into the current legislation.
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).
March 7, 2006 - On February 20th, 2006, Attorney General Michael Bryant announced proposals to reform the human rights system of Ontario. The proposals call for the Ontario Human Rights Commission (the “Commission”) to focus on “proactive measures, such as public education, promotion and public advocacy, as well as research and monitoring to address systemic discrimination in Ontario. Under the proposed changes, the Commission would “maintain the ability to bring a complaint on its own behalf before the tribunal or to intervene in other complaints”, and would become home to a new racial diversity secretariat.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) would like to bring several items to the attention of the Planning and Growth Management Committee as the Committee considers the Chief Planner’s reports on group homes and dwelling room accommodations at its October 22, 2013 meeting.
January 2014 - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has used a range of its functions to reduce and eliminate discrimination relating to land use planning. However, to meet Ministry goals and be consistent with Ontario’s Human Rights Code, the land use planning and appeal system needs to incorporate a human rights lens and provide human rights-related information, education and resources to those who implement and use the system. Planners and decision-makers throughout the system and in municipalities will benefit from clear guidance from the Province.
