The Human Rights Commissioner's Office (HRCO) is the Board's arms-length office for Human Rights Code compliance under Policy and Procedure #240.0, Human Rights: Code-Related Harassment and Discrimination.
The two primary goals of the HRCO are:
To act upon complaints promptly, fairly, judiciously and with confidentiality; and
To support preventative actions through education and training for building respectful working and inclusive learning environments
HRCO Responsibilities
- Providing
guidance and education on human rights and accessibility issues
- Monitoring
compliance and accessibility issues as required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Act (AODA) and the Board’s Accessibility
Policy
- Managing
and investigating human rights complaints
- Assisting
with early resolution and dispute resolution
- Providing
information and support in addressing human rights complaints
- Consulting
and providing guidance on employment and educational equity plans
- Advising upon request for French Immersion education in support of educational equity
- Advising
the Board on its strategic goals in all areas toward fostering a culture free
of harassment and discrimination
- Developing
and coordinating plans, policies and procedures related to human rights
The HRCO support all members of the York Region District School Board community who have questions or concerns related to discrimination and harassment.
In advancing education in human rights and accessibility, the HRCO may collaborate with various Board units in developing and conducting training to all Board employees.
Policies under the HRCO
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Human Rights Policy #240
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Under Policy and Procedure #240.0, the Board recognizes that education about human rights, and the development of working and learning environments that value diversity and inclusion are key to preventing discrimination and harassment.
Policy and Procedure #240.0 only applies to areas of discrimination and harassment under the prohibited grounds of discrimination set out in Ontario's Human Rights Code.
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Ontario Human Rights Code
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The Board's Human Rights Policy aligns with the Human Rights Code, a provincial law that gives everybody equal rights and opportunties without discrimination in five (5) specific social areas:
- Accommodation (housing)
- Contracts or agreements
- Employment
- Goods, service and facilities
- Membership in unions, trades or professional associations
All other Ontario laws must agree with the Code. This means that you must comply with the Code before other laws, unless there is a specific exemption. An allegation of discrimination or harassment must be based on at least one (1) Code ground and take place within a social area to be protected.
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Video Resources
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An eLearning video series was developed by the Ontario Human Rights Commission in 2013 to learn about your rights and responsibilities under Ontario's Human Rights Code (the Code) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The 5-part video series is entitled "Working Together: The Code and the AODA":
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YRDSB Policies Comparison
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| Policy #240 |
Human Rights:
Code-Related Harassment and Discrimination
|
To address allegations of code based discrimination or harassment. |
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| Policy #250 |
Violence Prevention and Interventions and Non-Code Workplace Related Harassment - Employees |
To address incidents of non-code harassment or violence directed toward staff members. |
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| Policy #242 |
Standards of Conduct |
To address allegations of behaviour by a staff member or member of school community that violates professional standards, statutory law, or Board policies and expectations. |
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| Policy #668 |
Caring and Safe Schools |
To address allegations of inappropriate conduct by a student. |
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| Trustee Code of Conduct |
Trustee Code of Conduct |
To address allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a trustee. |
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| Policy #267 |
Supporting Community Concerns |
To address community concerns not appropriately addressed by other Board policies. |
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