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What are Human Rights?

Human Rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person that we have throughout our life’s journey.ÌýThese rights are inherent and apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe or how you choose to live your life.Ìý Human rights are based on shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect, non-discrimination and independence. They are defined and enshrined and protected by both international and domestic law.

International Human Rights?

International law is a crucial aspect of human rights. Governments are often in a powerful position to control the freedoms of individuals or groups – freedoms that may be harder to win without international agreement and pressure.Ìý Canada has been at the forefront in its commitment to international human rights. A series of human rights treaties and other instruments adopted since the end of World War II has developed into an influential body of international human rights. These are monitored and implemented by important international institutions such as the UN Human Rights Council.Ìý The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a historic document which outlined the rights and freedoms everyone is entitled to. The first international agreement on the basic principles of human rights is referenced in Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

Domestic Human Rights?

In Ontario our human rights are protected by the Human Rights Code.Ìý While international human rights generally relate to actions of governments, our domestic human rights concern the actions of individuals and identifies areas known as protected grounds in which discrimination and harassment are prohibited.

Why Human Rights Matters at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ?

COHREA’s approach to human rights is centered on the Board’s strategic priories which are:

Excel in Learning - Recognition on the inherit dignity worth every learner based on human rights principles

Enrich Communities - Fostering diverse communities based on respect for human rights for all

Succeed in Life - Acknowledging importance of intentionally confronting discrimination and harassment that create societal barriers toward succeeding in life

Discrimination and Harassment

Discrimination is adverse differential treatment of a person or group of persons on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination that has the effect or purpose of unreasonably interfering with that person’s or group’s employment or educational status or performance or of creating a hostile or intimidating work or educational environment.Ìý

Discrimination includes adverse effect or systemic discrimination which consists of entrenched and institutionalized practices, systems, and structures that operate to limit a group’s or an individual’s rights to opportunities or to exclude a group or an individual from participation on the basis of any prohibited ground of discrimination.

Harassment is any behaviour directed towards another person that:

• is abusive or demeaning; and
• includes a direct or indirect reference to a prohibited ground of discrimination (see above); and
• would be viewed by a reasonable person experiencing the behaviour as an interference with that person’s participation in a university-related activity or creating an intimidating, humiliating or hostile environment.

Human Rights Complaints Process

The Commissioner's Office of Human Rights, Equity & Accessibility (COHREA) addresses human rights complaints, concerns, issues or matters brought forward by a member of the Board community that relate to the Human Rights: Code-Based Discrimination and Harassment Board Policy

The COHREA maintains an impartial approach when addressing a human rights complaint. Our team strives to explore all perspectives and understand all sides of a complaint. Please note that any complainant who seeks resolution of a complaint must be prepared to be identified to the respondent.

The standard process for filing a human rights complaint is by using the Report It! tool.

As part of the human rights complaints process, the COHREA will:

Listen - We actively listen to the concerns of any member of the Board community seeking advice or information regarding any human rights issue or matter. Strict confidentiality and privacy is guaranteed at all times, which is consistent with the arm's-length position of our office.

Inform -  We inform Board community members on the human rights complaints resolution processes available to them. Matters that fall outside of Human Rights: Code-Based Discrimination & Harassment Policy  will be referred to the appropriate dispute resolution mechanism as it relates to other relevant Board policies and procedures.

Facilitate - We facilitate or initiate informal resolution processes as agreed to by the complainant and/or respondent. Refer to our Early Resolutions page for more information on restorative practices such as informal dialogue or mediation.

Support - We support Board community members by respecting dignity and recognizing individual differences throughout the complaints resolution process.

Complaints Process Flow Chart

The COHREA complaints process flow chart below offers a visual representation of the COHREA complaints process.

When to Contact the COHREA

Human rights concerns can be addressed and resolved at all levels within the Board. If you believe that you, or someone you know, has experienced harassment or discrimination, you should first speak to your principal, manager or superintendent. This is your best chance to resolve a concern quickly.

• If you are a Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵDSB employee who is a member of a union, you should first bring the matter to the attention of your union representative.
• If you are a student or parent, you should first bring the matter to the attention of the school principal (administrator), wherever possible.