Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | March 29, 1961 |
| Type | Tribunal |
| Jurisdiction | Province of Ontario |
| Headquarters | 655 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
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| Key document | |
| Website | sjto.gov.on.ca/hrto |
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (French: Tribunal des droits de la personne de l’Ontario) is a court in Ontario, Canada that hears and determines applications brought under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the provincial statute that sets out human or civil rights in Ontario prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a number of grounds (such as race, sex or disability) in certain social areas (such as services, housing or employment).
Any person who believes they have been discriminated against contrary to the Ontario Human Rights Code may bring an application to the Tribunal.
The Ontario Human Rights Code was the first law of its kind in Canada. It took effect on June 15, 1962, bringing together various laws dealing with different kinds of discrimination, and adding some new protections.
The Ontario Human Rights Code of 1962 replaced the province’s existing anti-discrimination legislation, including:
The Ontario Human Rights Commission was created to administer the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Since June 30, 2008 all new complaints of discrimination are filed with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. However, the OHRC has the right to be informed of all applications before the HRTO and receives copies of all applications and responses.
In matters affecting broad public interest, the OHRC may take its own cases to the Tribunal or intervene in human rights cases before the Tribunal. The OHRC also develops policies and provides targeted public education, monitors human rights, does research and analysis, and conducts human rights inquiries.
The Centre offers human rights legal services to individuals who file applications with the Tribunal. Services may include legal assistance in filing applications, providing advice, and legal representation at mediations and hearings.
The Centre does not provide legal services to respondents and only represents 12% of applicants before the Tribunal. Services are prioritized, especially full representation, to clients who are particularly disadvantaged and who would have difficulty navigating the human rights system without assistance. Applicants with unmeritorious cases or who could otherwise afford legal representation are not represented.
This administrative Tribunal determines whether or not an applicant's right's have been violated. The redesigned Tribunal is aimed at providing quicker and direct access for applicants and a fair dispute resolution process for all parties, including respondents.
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