Ontario Human Rights Commission
Ontario Human Rights Code

Protected Grounds
Part 1, Freedom from Discrimination, 5(1) Employment
Race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.

Suggested Changes of the Act with Respect to Volunteers
From
Part II Interpretation and Application, 10(1) Definitions re: Parts I and II
(definitions omitted here for brevity)
“age”, “disability”, “equal”, “family status” , “group insurance”, “harassment”, “marital status”, “record of offences” , “services”, “spouse”

To
Part II Interpretation and Application, 10(1) Definitions re: Parts I and II
(other definitions omitted here for brevity)
“age”, “disability”,

“employment” includes a contractual relationship with an individual for the provision of services, paid or unpaid (volunteer), personally by the individual; (emploi)

“equal”, “family status”, “group insurance”, “harassment”, “marital status”, “record of offences”, “services”, “spouse”

Suggested Changes of the Act with Respect to Visible Identity

From
Part I Freedom from Discrimination, (5)
Employment
(1) Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to employment without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability

Harassment in employment
(2) Every person who is an employee has a right to freedom from harassment in the workplace by the employer or agent of the employer or by another employee because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.

To
Part I Freedom from Discrimination, (5)
Employment
(1) Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to employment without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability

Harassment in employment
(2) Every person who is an employee has a right to freedom from harassment in the workplace by the employer or agent of the employer or by another employee because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.

Visibility of Identity in Employment
(3) Every person who is an employee has a right to wear symbolic items reflecting their individual identities based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.

Suggested Petition
Information about Petitions
Whereas.
The Human Rights of volunteers have been protected by legal practice it is essential that this protection be codified in the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC).

And Whereas.
Diversity is not always visible, and it should be celebrated, not a target of hate, so protection is needed in the OHRC for persons who’ choose to display their individual identities with respect to the protected grounds of the OHRC, while employed or volunteering.

And Whereas.
This is a complex issue and the Ontario Human Rights Commission is best suited to develop a working policy on implementation.

And Whereas.
One should not be judged by their identities displayed rather by their actions as a volunteer or employee.

We the Undersigned Citizens of Ontario request the Legislative Assembly to:

Amend the OHRC to protect persons who volunteer.

AND

Amend the OHRC to protect individuals who’s individual identities are based on the protected grounds of the OHRC from removal, refusal, reassignment or retaliation, while choosing to wear symbolic items, that reflects their individual identities , while volunteering or employed.


Suggested Letter to Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP)
Members of the Provincial Parliament
Notes: Copy, paste and edit to your liking. MPP’s will prioritize responding from persons in their riding.

Dear Member of the Provincial Parliament Full Name.

The Human Rights of volunteers have been protected by legal practice. It is essential that this protection be codified in the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC).

Diversity is not always visible, and it should be celebrated, not a target of hate, so protection is needed in the OHRC for persons who’ choose to display their individual identities with respect to the protected grounds of the OHRC, while employed or volunteering.

This is a complex issue and the Ontario Human Rights Commission is best suited to develop a working policy on implementation.

One should not be judged by their identities displayed rather by their actions as a volunteer or employee

Please consider the following amendments to the OHRC as listed below.

In Solidarity.
Your Full Name
Your Address
Your Telephone Number

Amendment 1 Insert the definition ““employment” includes a contractual relationship with an individual for the provision of services, paid or unpaid (volunteer), personally by the individual; (emploi) “ after”disability” and before “equal” in Part II Interpretation and Application, 10(1) Definitions re: Parts I and II.

Resulting In
Part II Interpretation and Application, 10(1) Definitions re: Parts I and II
(other definitions omitted here for brevity),
“age”, “disability”,

“employment” includes a contractual relationship with an individual for the provision of services, paid or unpaid (volunteer), personally by the individual; (emploi)

“equal”, “family status”, “group insurance”, “harassment”, “marital status”, “record of offences”, “services”, “spouse”

Amendment 2 Append Part I Freedom from Discrimination, (5) with the following text “:Visibility of Identity in Employment
(3) Every person who is an employee has a right to wear an item reflecting their individual identity based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.”

Resulting In
Part I Freedom from Discrimination, (5)
Employment
(1) Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to employment without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability

Harassment in employment
(2) Every person who is an employee has a right to freedom from harassment in the workplace by the employer or agent of the employer or by another employee because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.

Visibility of Identity in Employment
(3) Every person who is an employee has a right to wear symbolic items reflecting their individual identities based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.