Keeping Seniors at Home Amid COVID-19
- March 2, 2021
- BakerLaw
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CBC News highlights the role of Ontario’s rapidly growing Supports at Home Program (link), which was announced by the Ford government in December 2020. The program allows Seniors with significant needs, who would otherwise be sent to a nursing home, to receive the support that they need at home. » Read the rest
Proposed Regulations to the Accessible Transportation Planning and Reporting Regulations Now Available Online
- February 25, 2021
- BakerLaw
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On February 13, 2021, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) announced that its proposed Accessible Transportation Planning and Reporting regulations were published in the Canada Gazette for public view. You can view a full version of the regulations here (link). » Read the rest
BC Human Rights Tribunal makes historic damages award to victim of racial harassment – but leaves him to swallow high legal costs
- February 8, 2021
- Laura Lepine
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On January 28, 2021, the BC Human Rights Tribunal awarded a former corrections officer nearly $1 million in damages for the racial discrimination he experienced in the workplace.
The decision marks the highest general damages award from the BC Tribunal. It comes just over 1.5 years after the Tribunal found that Levan Francis, a Black man, experienced discrimination in employment on the grounds of race and colour, as well as retaliation. » Read the rest
Can Artificial Intelligence Discriminate?
- February 1, 2021
- Kimberly Srivastava
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Can Artificial Intelligence Discriminate? In short, the answer is yes.
Dr. Jutta Treviranus, Director and Founder of the Inclusive Design Research Centre and the Inclusive Design Institute outlines what’s at stake. In this slide show (link), she identifies three areas of discrimination. » Read the rest
Postsecondary students cannot be asked about their sexual history when reporting sexual violence or harassment
- January 28, 2021
- Anoop Kalsi
- Comments Off on Postsecondary students cannot be asked about their sexual history when reporting sexual violence or harassment
On January 27, 2021, the Ontario Government announced it will be moving to amend current regulations regarding Sexual violence and harassment policies as postsecondary institutions. The government has recognized that many instances of sexual violence and harassment on and around campus go unreported because students fear reprisal and/or a concern that they will not be taken seriously. » Read the rest
Provincial government provides $7.5M for Geneva Centre training for educators
- January 20, 2021
- Amanda Dimilta
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On January 10, 2021, Ontario announced a $7.5 million investment to “train our education staff to better support students on the autism spectrum and to foster a culture of respect, inclusion and opportunity in our schools”. The training will begin this year. » Read the rest
University of Waterloo Discriminated in its Admissions Decision, Court of Appeal Upholds
- January 11, 2021
- Laura Lepine
- Comments Off on University of Waterloo Discriminated in its Admissions Decision, Court of Appeal Upholds
The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a decision recognizing that students with disabilities are entitled to substantive accommodation when applying to university.
This decision confirms that university admission processes are not exempt from human rights obligations: where admissions standards adversely impact students with disabilities, universities must accommodate those students, or show that it would be an undue hardship to do so. » Read the rest
Jasmin Simpson Wins: Court Holds Student Loans Programs Violated Her Charter rights
- December 17, 2020
- Laura Lepine
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It took nearly two decades for Jasmin Simpson to get her day in court. It took only two months from the end of submissions for the Court to rule in her favour.
On October 26, 2020, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice held that Ms. » Read the rest
Black Public Servants Allege Discrimination in the Federal Public Service
- December 11, 2020
- Khalid Mahdi
- Comments Off on Black Public Servants Allege Discrimination in the Federal Public Service
CBC News has recently reported on a proposed class-action lawsuit by current and former Black Canadian civil servants alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of race. The lawsuit alleges that Black public servants have been repeatedly overlooked for promotions and subjected to a toxic work environments. » Read the rest
Does inaction on climate change violate Canadians’ human rights?
- November 16, 2020
- Laura Lepine
- Comments Off on Does inaction on climate change violate Canadians’ human rights?
Does inaction on climate change violate Canadians’ human rights? If the Netherlands are any example to follow, the answer may be yes.
In The Netherlands vs Urgenda, the Dutch Supreme Court found that an inadequate response to climate change can violate human rights. » Read the rest