July 10, 2018

 

OHRC Annual Report highlights impact in
2017-2018

 

Impact Today

 

Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released Impact today, investment for tomorrow, its 2017-2018 Annual Report. The report provides qualitative and quantitative information that tracks our progress in meeting the commitments set out in our 2017-2022 Strategic Plan.

 

Impact today highlights the OHRC’s unique position to proactively address human rights abuses that can’t be fully remedied by courts and tribunals, costing our economy billions of dollars. It outlines key initiatives from the past year and our priorities for the next fiscal year:

 

Reconciliation:

  • Interrupted Childhoods reported on quantitative data obtained from children’s aid societies agencies across Ontario and confirmed that Indigenous and Black children are over-represented in child welfare agencies across Ontario. The report and recommendations were welcomed by the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies.
  • For 2018-2019, we are focused on obtaining a binding commitment to effectively implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and to continued implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Poverty:
  • Our human rights survey, Taking the pulse, provided concrete evidence to support calls for more robust human rights protections for economically marginalized people.
  • For 2018-2019, we are focused on adopting a rights-based approach to poverty reduction and homelessness, and prohibition of discrimination based on “social condition.” Education:
  • Based on research conducted in 2017-2018, we will launch our Policy on accessible education for students with disabilities and recommendations to ensure equal access to education in the fall.
  • For 2018-2019, we are focused on inclusive and accessible education for children with disabilities, and ensuring children learn about rights and responsibilities in school.

 

Criminal justice:

  • More than two-thirds of our recommendations were adopted in new policing and corrections legislation.
  • We obtained an Order from the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario requiring the government to effectively prohibit solitary confinement for people with mental health disabilities.
  • For 2018-2019, we are focused on accountability for racial profiling and timely implementation of the Correctional Services and Reintegration Act.

 

Also today, the OHRC released Communities for change, its report on the inaugural Community Advisory Group Summit and a new community engagement strategy.