On June 30, 2008, the province launched its new human rights system, consisting of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the new Human Rights Legal Support Centre.

The new system is designed to help promote and advance human rights, resolve discrimination claims faster and provide people with legal support if they need it.

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

All claims of discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code are now filed directly with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. The Tribunal is an independent, neutral body that resolves applications through mediation or adjudication. Its adjudicators are experts in both human rights and dispute resolution. The Tribunal's goal is to ensure all claims of discrimination are resolved and addressed in a timely way.

Human Rights Legal Support Centre

The new Human Rights Legal Support Centre offers independent human rights legal support to people who believe their rights have been violated under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Staff at the Centre help claimants understand how the law applies to their situation, and help them complete new application forms before the Tribunal. The Centre's services are free of charge for people who need them and range from legal help in filing an application at the Tribunal, to legal representation on cases.

Ontario Human Rights Commission

With its new and enhanced role, the Ontario Human Rights Commission works to promote, protect and advance human rights in Ontario. Its main focus is to address broad and systemic issues of discrimination. Activities include research and monitoring, policy development, and education and training. The Commission also conducts targeted inquiries and may file applications or intervene in important cases before the Tribunal.

Contacts and Links

• For information on human rights in Ontario visit: Ontario.ca/humanrights
  Or call: Toll free 1-800-387-9080
  TTY (Toll Free) 1-800-308-5561
• Ontario Human Rights Commission
• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
• Human Rights Legal Support Centre
• You can purchase a copy of the Ontario Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006 from Publications Ontario by calling 1-800-668-9938 or 416-326-5300.

The History of Human Rights in Ontario

Ontario has a proud record of leadership in protecting human rights.

In 1944, Ontario passed the Racial Discrimination Act. It was based on the principle that every person is free and equal in dignity and rights regardless of race, creed, colour, nationality, ancestry or place of origin.

Four years later, the United Nations adopted the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sets out fundamental rights and freedoms, as a common standard of achievement for all people and all nations.

Ontario's human rights system was, and still is, based on that declaration.

In 1962, Ontario enacted the first comprehensive human rights code in Canada, to protect people against discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and in accommodation, goods, services and facilities.

The Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, colour, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin, creed, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, age, disability or citizenship. It provides that every Ontarian has the right to equal treatment in employment, accommodation, goods, services, facilities, contracts and membership in vocational associations.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission was set up to administer and enforce the Code. At first, ad hoc boards of inquiry were appointed to adjudicate cases involving discrimination under the new Code. In 1995, the Board of Inquiry was established as a permanent, stand-alone tribunal. And in 2002, the name was changed to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Calls to reform and modernize Ontario's human rights system began in the 1990s. In December 2006, the Ontario Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006 was passed.