Human Rights and Equity
The Human Rights and Equity Advisory (HREA) role has grown out of the Ministry of Education direction to address matters specific to the Human Rights Code (“the Code”) and related issues. The Code prohibits discrimination and harassment in services and employment based on 17 protected grounds:
- Age
- Ancestry
- Colour
- Race
- Citizenship
- Ethnic origin
- Place of origin
- Creed
- Disability
- Family status
- Marital status (including single status)
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
- Sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding)
- Sexual orientation
- Record of Offences (employment)
- Receipt of public assistance (housing)
The HREA works with objectivity and independence from other system structures for the purpose of addressing matters specific to the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) including Code-related harassment and discrimination complaints.
It supports the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) in fostering inclusive and respectful learning and working environments for:
- Students
- Staff
- Trustees
- Other KPDSB community members
It achieves this by:
- Reviewing the board’s policies and administrative procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure they are compliant with the Ontario Human Rights Code
- Providing human rights education and training to all members of the KPDSB community
- Confidentially reviewing, addressing, and resolving complaints brought forward in a fair, just and equitable manner
- Identifying and remedying policies, procedures or practices that contribute directly and indirectly to systemic discrimination
- Providing analysis and advisory support on human rights matters, including:
- Religious accommodation
- Inclusion strategies
- Support tools for traditionally marginalized communities
- Other equity issues
As a part of ongoing efforts to be transparent to internal and external stakeholders, the HREA will prepare an Annual Report sharing the ongoing work of addressing human rights complaints in compliance with Ontario’s Human Rights Code.
Role of the Human Rights and Equity Advisor
Building and maintaining a culture of respect for human rights
The HREA:
- Supports the KPDSB to identify and address systemically-based human rights and equity issues
- Builds the KPDSB’s capacity to ensure compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code
The HREA does this through:
- Leadership
- Education and training
- Relationship-building
- Participating in system-level decision-making
The Human Rights and Equity Advisor reports directly to the Director of Education and is a member of the Senior Team.
Supporting the resolution of human rights complaints
The HREA oversees the Board’s internal human rights complaints procedure. They use their expertise and proven experience in:
- Human rights investigations
- Complaint resolution
- Restorative justice
With the mandate already established, the next steps for the HREA include:
- Developing a new human rights policy
- Creating a new human rights complaints procedure
If you would like to learn more about the Human Rights and Equity Advisor role, please reach out directly to Pamala Agawa using the information at the top of this page.