Table of Contents MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER..............................................................4 PART I: THE COMMISSION: A DECADE OF EVOLUTION ..............................................6 What We’ve Accomplished................................................................................7 Corporate Restructuring ................................................................................7 Centralized Services......................................................................................7 Registrar’s Office ...........................................................................................8 Technology ....................................................................................................8 Web site.........................................................................................................9 Integration Protocol........................................................................................9 Mission Statement and Code of Ethics ........................................................10 Accountability Framework............................................................................10 Operational Effectiveness............................................................................10 Staff Training ...............................................................................................11 Inquiry and Intake ........................................................................................11 Mediation and Settlement ............................................................................12 Investigation and Referral............................................................................13 Litigation ......................................................................................................14 Tribunal Decisions .......................................................................................15 Divisional Court, Court of Appeal & Supreme Court of Canada Decisions ..17 Judicial Review Decisions............................................................................17 Interventions ................................................................................................18 Settlements..................................................................................................19 Commission Initiated Complaints.................................................................19 Policy Development .....................................................................................20 Consultation.................................................................................................20 Policy Highlights 1995-2005 ........................................................................20 Policy Review and Advice............................................................................22 Policy and Litigation.....................................................................................22 Public Education ..........................................................................................23 National and International Liaison................................................................25 What We’ve Learned.......................................................................................26 Maximizing Resources and Mandate...........................................................26 Relevance of Human Rights Commissions Today.......................................27 Role of the Commission Going Forward ......................................................28 Appendix – Part I.............................................................................................30 OHRC Comparative Indicators 1995-2005 ..................................................31 PART II: COMMISSION ACTIVITIES 2004-2005.........................................................32 About the Commission.................................................................................33 Caseload Management ...................................................................................33 Caseload .....................................................................................................33 Inquiry and Intake ........................................................................................34 Mediation .....................................................................................................34 Investigation.................................................................................................35 Policy Development.........................................................................................35 Annual Report 2004-2005 1 Racial Discrimination and Racism Policy Dialogue......................................35 Racial Profiling Report – One-Year Follow-up .............................................36 Disability and Education ..............................................................................36 Restaurant Accessibility Initiative.................................................................37 Family Status Discussion Paper ..................................................................38 Advice on Human Rights Matters....................................................................38 Discriminatory Effect of School Discipline Legislation and Policies .............38 Police Complaints Review Submission........................................................39 Mandatory Retirement .................................................................................39 Regulation of the Private Security Industry..................................................40 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act............................................41 Other Matters...............................................................................................41 Public Education, Partnership and Promotion .................................................41 Aboriginal Human Rights Program ..............................................................43 Call for a Canadian Coalition of Cities Against Racism ...............................43 www.ohrc.on.ca ...........................................................................................44 Legal Services.................................................................................................44 Case Summary Highlights ...........................................................................45 Accountability Framework ...............................................................................49 Appendices – Part II ........................................................................................53 List of Commissioners .................................................................................54 Branch Descriptions.....................................................................................59 List of Publications.......................................................................................61 Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Decisions & Settlements........................63 Financial Statement .....................................................................................68 Tables..........................................................................................................69 ENDNOTES............................................................................................................74 2 Ontario Human Rights Commission June, 2005 The Honourable Michael J. Bryant Attorney General Minister Responsible for Native Affairs Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal 720 Bay Street Toronto ON M5G 2K1 Dear Minister: Pursuant to Section 31(1) of the Ontario Human Rights Code, we are required to submit a report on the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s activities for the previous fiscal period by June 30th of each year. In this regard, it is my pleasure to provide you with a copy of the Commission’s Annual Report 2004-2005. This report reflects the activities of the Commission from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005. Yours sincerely, Keith C. Norton, Q.C., B.A., LL.B. Chief Commissioner Annual Report 2004-2005 3 MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER June 2005 In this, my final report, I am pleased to report on the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s activities for the April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005 fiscal year. During 2004-2005, the Commission accomplished several significant achievements including key legal settlements on a variety of human rights issues. In particular, the Commission: x conducted a Policy Dialogue as part of policy development on the ground of race; x released guidelines on the application of the Ontario Human Rights Code related to issues of disability in the education sector; x followed up on recommendations set out in its 2003 Disability and Education Consultation Report; x followed up on recommendations in its Racial Profiling Report released in December 2003; x released a report on restaurant accessibility, Dining Out Accessibly, and expanded the restaurant initiative to other chains; and, x developed a Discussion Paper on discrimination because of family status. This past year, the Commission opened 2,399 cases and closed 2,215 cases. The active caseload on March 31, 2005 was 2,733 cases, which represents an increase of 184 cases (or 7.3%) over last year’s caseload of 2,549 cases. The Commission also referred 150 cases to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. I am also pleased to look back and report on the Commission’s many accomplishments in all areas of its mandate over the past ten years. During this time, key