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Human Rights Reform

In April of this year, the government of Ontario introduced Bill 107 to reform Ontario's human rights complaints system. The system of complaints processing has been largely unchanged in more than 40 years. Recently, additional amendments were proposed that would further strengthen the human rights complaints system by guaranteeing legal supports for claimants, and providing for more robust Commission powers.

Social justice and equity seeking groups applaud Bill 107 precisely because the bill would refocus the enforcement regime on the needs of victims of discrimination. Human rights advocates and community organizations that work directly on the front lines with victims of discrimination know that right now, 3 out of every 4 unsettled complaints will be rejected - behind closed doors - without a hearing.

Bill 107 gives all claimants direct access to a public hearing, while allowing the Commission to focus on what it does best: policy development, public education, outreach, and systemic advocacy.