News Release

For Immediate Release
March 13, 2008

McGuinty Government Building A Strong Human Rights System

NEWS

Respected Toronto human rights lawyer Raj Anand is nominated as Chair of the Board of Directors of Ontario's new Human Rights Legal Support Centre.

The appointment is subject to review by the Standing Committee on Government Agencies.

As Chair of the Board of Directors, Anand would lead the new publicly funded and publicly accountable Human Rights Legal Support Centre. The Centre is set to open in Toronto on June 30, 2008.

The Centre will be responsible for administering a province-wide system to provide legal and other support services related to all aspects of applications to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Anand is a partner with a major Toronto law firm where his practice includes human rights and employment law. He is a former Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and has adjudicated complaints under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

QUOTES

"Raj Anand is a recognized expert in the area of human rights law and I have no doubt that, if appointed, his leadership will help the new Human Rights Legal Support Centre fulfil its mandate as part of the province's strengthened human rights system," said Attorney General Chris Bentley.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario's Human Rights Legal Support Centre was established by the Human Rights Code Amendment Act to modernize and strengthen Ontario's human rights system.
• The Centre is the first human rights support agency of its kind in Canada.
• It will offer independent human rights information and services to the people of Ontario.
• Ontario's new human rights system will also include the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

LEARN MORE

Read more about Human rights reform in Ontario.

Learn more about the Ontario Human Rights Code.