Human Resources Legislative Update - Human Rights

Ontario Human Rights Code Independent Review: Consultation Paper Published

Hicks Morley — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:57:12 -0500

As part of the independent, mandated review of the changes resulting from the enactment of amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”) which came into effect June 30, 2008, a consultation paper has been published which identifies key issues and points for discussion for the public consultation process which will take place in January and February of 2012.

The review, chaired by Andrew Pinto, is prescribed by section 57 of the Code. It will consider the “implementation and effectiveness” of these amendments, including an assessment of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s “direct access" model.

Public consultations are also prescribed under that section, prior to the Chair’s submission of a Report to the Minister, which must occur within one year of the Chair’s appointment, which occurred on August 12, 2011.

For more information on the Consultation Paper and the review process, see our FTR Now of January 3, 2012, entitled "Ontario Human Rights Review Chair Invites Comments on 2008 Changes to the Human Rights Code."

Ontario Proposes Integrated Accessibility Regulation Under AODA

Hicks Morley — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:31:22 -0500

On September 2, 2010, the Ontario government published the proposed integrated accessibility regulation (“IAR”) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”) for public review and commentary.

As previously reported, the IAR initiative combines the information and communications, employment and transportation standards into a single, integrated regulation, intended to make them "more flexible" for business.

]]>It further responds to recommendations published earlier this year regarding the need to harmonize the standards and avoid the "silo" effect that creates duplication, overlap and uncertainty.

The IAR is intended to streamline, align and phase-in accessibility requirements to allow for progress on accessibility, and reduce regulatory burden for obligated organizations.

The government also published proposed amendments to O. Reg. 629 (Vehicles for the Transportation of Physically Disabled Passengers), which deals specifically with the technical requirements for highway vehicles.

Stakeholders and interested parties are invited to comment upon the IAR and proposed amendments to O. Reg. 629 before October 16, 2010.

Hicks Morley is reviewing these proposals and will publish an FTR Now shortly.

More information about the AODA standards is available in our FTR Now of November 3, 2009, “AODA Update: Final Proposed Employment Accessibility Standard Released”.

Ontario Releases Independent Review of AODA

Hicks Morley — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:36:03 -0500

On May 31, 2010, the government released Charles Beer's independent review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

The government also announced that it is in the process of combining the information and communications, employment and transportation standards into a single, integrated regulation. This initiative is intended to make them "more flexible" for business. It further responds to some of Beer's recommendations regarding the need to harmonize the standards and avoid the "silo" effect that creates duplication, overlap and uncertainty.