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TORONTO /CNW/ - The Ontario Human Rights Commission continued
to work towards a human rights culture in the province during a
year of transition, according to the Commission’s Annual Report
for 2008-09, released today.
The Report provides a snapshot of successes and challenges of
the past year, new policies and important legal decisions, and
sets out the Commission’s priorities for the future.
During the past year, the OHRC has begun to deliver its new
mandate. The Commission no longer handles the complaints of
individuals. It proactively addresses systemic and public
interest issues, getting at the roots of discrimination and
preventing it before it happens.
"We’re taking a stronger role in Ontario’s communities," says
OHRC Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall. "By working with transit
providers, police services, school boards and a wide range of
community groups we are raising awareness of discrimination and
eliminating barriers to access and success."
"Hard economic times make life for Ontario’s most vulnerable
people even harder," says Barbara Hall. "Nothing is more central
to someone’s well-being and health than adequate affordable
housing. This past year, we worked with students, psychiatric
survivors and other vulnerable groups to look at discrimination
in rental housing. I am pleased that this work will result in
the release of a new Housing Policy this Fall."
This year’s Annual Report is available from the OHRC’s website -
www.ohrc.on.ca. Although the main text is concise, the internet
version adds a story within the story, by providing links to
dozens of related publications and other sources of information
on the work of the OHRC.
"I’m very proud of our accomplishments in the past year,"
Barbara Hall says. "The annual report tells some of that story
and it also points to how we plan to use our new and expanded
role in the future to help build a truly equitable and inclusive
society for Ontarians."
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