Podcasts about Ontario Human Rights Commission

Rabia Khedr is a passionate advocate for equity, justice, and inclusion, particularly for people with disabilities and diverse communities. She's served on the Accessibility Standards Canada board, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and the Minister's Disability Advisory Group. As the National Director of Disability Without Poverty and CEO of DEEN Support Services, she's also a co-founder of Race and Disability Canada. Rabia, a motivational speaker, has earned awards like the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her humanitarian work.

As a landlord, at some point you will have to advertise!  Today's episode is how to advertise your US or Canadian rental unit without discrimination.  Looking at both sides of the border, we discuss specific wording in your advertising, what happens if you do discriminate in your ads (and how would you know), and how to avoid discrimination in your advertisements.  There are FIVE resources on the website for today's episode, all to help keep you out of discrimination trouble.  

It's the most wonderful time of the year: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon time! We at the AO Running Podcast are celebrating all things TWM with a series of interviews leading into and following the event. For our first conversation, host John Shep meets Marcus Smith and his mom Alicia Smith, Executive Director from Dyslexia Canada, who will be participating in the half marathon this year to raise funds through the TCS Charity Challenge for the Dyslexia Canada. Both Alicia and Marcus have Dyslexia, and Alicia has made incredible impacts in her short few years with the organization, including speaking with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, changing the Ontario school curriculum, and ensuring that for the first year ever, all students in Ontario will be screened for a reading disability. Connect with Dyslexia Canada: https://dyslexiacanada.org/ Find out more about the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon: https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/ Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-ontario-2024-membership

Following the recommendations of the Ontario Human Rights Commission's Right to Read report, the province is now adopting a new science based reading curriculum. But there's still lots of work to do. Your -- sometimes -- emotional stories about efforts by kids to catch up with guests Alicia Smith, exec dir. Dyslexia Canada and Stephen Krause with the Near North District School Board.

July 7 2024-Dan Hill Reflects On His Father's Legacy & Heritage Sites Lacking Safeguards In Canada The name of a Canadian human rights defender will appear on a Toronto public library after a six month renaming effort. It's another piece of Toronto that's been stripped of the Dundas name, joining Yonge Dundas Square, to be renamed Sankofa Square. This fall, the Jane Dundas branch will be named after the late Daniel G. Hill, a historian, writer, and activist who served as the inaugural director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, later as commissioner. In the 90s, Hill was awarded the Order of Ontario and appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. We reached his son, Grammy and Juno award -winning artist Dan Hill. And Last month's devastating fire at Toronto's St. Anne's Anglican Church is a cautionary tale about preserving historic buildings. Built between 1907 and 1908, the church did not have a sprinkler system to protect its collection of religious murals — including some by the Group of Seven — that have now been lost. Experts warn that hundreds if not thousands of churches across Canada are in the same predicament of lacking certain safeguards. We reached Deb Crawford, Chair of the Architectural Conservancy Ontario.

Support our work: https://www.patrickcoffin.media/donate Support us by joining the Coffin Nation Community: www.coffinnation.com FOLLOW ME   Telegram: https://t.me/patrickcoffinmedia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realpatrickcoffin/ X: https://twitter.com/CoffinMedia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrickcoffin.media We normally think of political correctness as a canon of words and attitudes that are arbitrarily forbidden in polite (read Left-liberal) company. It comes in many forms, but in Canada it's more and more becoming codified in law. As Dr. Jordan Peterson (and those observing his plight) have learned, the PC Game now has legal teeth and real-world consequences for those who don't want to play. Dr. Peterson is a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and a clinical psychologist. He recently posted a series of lectures on his YouTube channel with titles like “Professor Against Political Correctness,” “Fear and the Law,” and “The University of Toronto Requests My Silence.” These lectures were delivered after the University's HR department mandated that “trans people” be called by of the newfangled pronouns like zie, hir, ey, em, eir, they, co, xe, to name but a sample of the absurdist verbiage that has been coughed up by activists. The good professor is not having any of it. And he's putting his job on the line—and whatever other punishments that may be in store if he is hauled before the Ontario Human Rights Commission (sounds cuddly, don't it?). For if Bill C-16 is passed in Canada at the federal level, “gender identity” and “gender expression” join the List of the Prohibited and constitute actionable grounds of discrimination. New York City already has a similar law. Those guilty of “mis-gendering” must pay a $250,000 fine. The Big Apple recognizes 31 gender identities, by the way. But this isn't merely about pronouns. What's at stake is whether the government or any other institution should be allowed to control and proscribe human speech, especially when the phrasing of the controllers are vague and impossible to interpret consistently, let alone police equitably. When Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini sought a more “virile language” for his machismo vision of the Italian nation, he required the comradely voi (the plural “y'all”) for Lei, the feminine form. Under his rule, voi was obligatory in schools, public offices, movie subtitles, radio shows, and public ceremonies. Not surprisingly, Italians dropped the fear-based nonsense and reverted to the traditional Lei when the hated dictator fell from power.  

Emma Ansah reports on the Ontario Human Rights Commission's final report that shows Toronto Police stop and use more force against black people --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/africandiasporanews/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/africandiasporanews/support

As a landlord, at some point you will have to advertise!  Today's episode is how to advertise your US or Canadian rental unit without discrimination.  Looking at both sides of the border, we discuss specific wording in your advertising, what happens if you do discriminate in your ads (and how would you know), and how to avoid discrimination in your advertisements.  There are FIVE resources on the website for today's episode, all to help keep you out of discrimination trouble.  

Synopsis On this episode of the Pulse, host Joeita Gupta discusses disability identity and the book 'Dispatches from Disabled Country' by Catherine Frazee. The book is a collection of Frazee's writing over the years, exploring themes such as disability rights, identity, human rights, and the relationship between disability and the medical world. Frazee discusses the evolution of the disability rights movement in Canada and the ongoing debates around medical assistance in dying. The program also includes a conversation with Frazee about finding joy and staying optimistic in disabled country. Overall, the program highlights the importance of embracing disability identity and advocating for the rights and dignity of disabled individuals.   Link to Catherine Frazee's book:  “Dispatches from Disabled Country” https://www.amazon.ca/Dispatches-Disabled-Country-Catherine-Frazee/dp/0774868686  Episode Highlights:Joeita introduces author and advocate Catherine Frazee (1:11)Joeita and Catherine discuss the meaning of the title of Catherine's book “Dispatches from Disabled Country”. (1:48)How Catherine chose which of her writings to include in her book. (6:16)Catherine gives her thoughts on the evolution of the disability rights movement in Canda since the 1990s. (9:20)Catherine discusses the effects of the Traci Latimer case on disability rights. (11:56)Joeita and Catherine discuss medical assistance and dying in Canada. (14:04)What advice does Catherine have for someone who has recently realized their citizenship in disabled country? (23:27)  About Catherine Frazee:Catherine Frazee is a Canadian educator, activist, researcher, poet and writer. She is currently professor emerita in the School of Disability Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).[1] Prior to her retirement from Ryerson in 2010, she served for a decade as professor of distinction and as co-director of the Ryerson/RBC Institute for Disability Studies Research and Education. She is known for her role as Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission from 1989 to 1992.  Reference:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Frazee 

From May 2022 Kim Lockhart, Canadian French immersion teacher and special educator in Kingston, Ontario, shares how she meets the needs of students in her classroom. As stated in a recent report, Right to Read inquiry report from Ontario Human Rights Commission, Ontario is removing the three cueing system completely from all materials and turning to reading science instead. In this episode, Kim models what an evidence-based phonics lesson might entail. In second language programs, it's necessary for students to build language comprehension by attaching meaning to decoding. Related EpisodesEp. 63: Kindergarten Teacher Reaches 100% Success Using Evidence-Based Practices Ep. 59: HQIM for ALL with Educator Sarah WebbHQIM as EQUITY for English Language Learners with  ELSF Executive Director Crystal GonzalesResourcesThe Right to Read Inquiry Report from Ontario Human Rights CommissionThe Simple View of Reading (SVR)Connect with us Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Don't miss an episode! Sign up for FREE bonus resources and episode alerts at LiteracyPodcast.com Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum.

Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner of Canada, is a leading legal expert on human rights, administrative, and constitutional law. He previously served as the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel of the House of Commons. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) oversees compliance with the Privacy Act, which covers the personal information-handling practices of federal government departments and agencies, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canada's federal private-sector privacy law.One-year anniversary, stepping into a new role as privacy commissioner of Canada [1:45]Three years as Ontario's information and privacy commissioner [4:26]Adapting to the hybrid workplace model [6:34]Rhythms of work throughout the year [9:02]From human rights lawyer to privacy commissioner of Canada [10:46]The fast-moving dialogue about privacy issues [12:24]Making the switch from federal to provincial regulator [14:02]Why it's a pivotal time for privacy protection [18:52]Artificial intelligence, Bill C-27, Digital Charter Implementation Act [19:34]Harnessing the power of AI for good [22:37]A modern and effective regulator for a digital Ontario [23:39]Preparing to implement a new law in a continuing state of uncertainty [25:52]Closing gaps in privacy protection for Ontario workers [29:45]Federal-provincial collaboration: education, privacy protections for children and youth [33:21]Federal-provincial collaboration: enforcement and investigations, raising public awareness of privacy issues [36:19]Resources:Bill C-27, Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022Appearance before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) on the Study of Device Investigation Tools Used by the RCMP (Opening statement by Philippe Dufresne, August 8, 2022)Investigation into Home Depot of Canada Inc.'s compliance with PIPEDA (OPC, January 26, 2023)A pivotal time for privacy (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2021-22 Annual Report to Parliament) Canadian Digital Regulators Forum established to better serve Canadians in the digital era (news release, June 9, 2023)The vision of a modern and effective regulator (IPC 2022 annual report)Joint statement by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and the Ontario Human Rights Commission on the use of AI technologies (May 25, 2023)IPC Strategic Priorities 2021-2025Info Matters is a podcast about people, privacy, and access to information hosted by Patricia Kosseim, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. We dive into conversations with people from all walks of life and hear stories about the access and privacy issues that matter most to them. If you enjoyed the podcast, leave us a rating or a review. Have an access to information or privacy topic you want to learn more about? Interested in being a guest on the show? Send us a tweet @IPCinfoprivacy or email us at podcast@ipc.on.ca.  The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the IPC does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this podcast, and information from this podcast should not be used or reproduced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. None of the information, opinions and recommendations presented in this podcast bind the IPC's Tribunal that may be called upon to independently investigate and decide upon an individual complaint or appeal based on the specific facts and unique circumstances of a given case.

In this episode: labour relations, workplace safety, artificial intelligence, ways to celebrate National Indigenous History Month and Pride Season and other topics. Stay with us to get the latest HR updates.This summer the podcasts schedule may change due to travel. Follow us on twitter at Canada Human Resources News (@cadHRnews) and LinkedIn at Canada HR News Podcast for the latest updates.After five months held at 5.0 per cent, the unemployment rate in Canada rose to 5.2 per cent | Unemployment Rate Rises for the First Time in a Long Time - The Conference Board of Canada The federal government has given an updated deal to a finance officer public-service union | PSAC Strike: Gov't updates deal with finance officers' union | CTV News Small businesses in communities under mandatory evacuation orders due to wildfires in Nova Scotia will receive a one-time $2,500 grant from the provincial government | N.S. wildfires: Small businesses can get $2,500 grant | CTV News The City of Winnipeg faces surge in work-related injury, illness claims | Winnipeg Transit, fire-paramedic service see biggest jumps in city's workplace injury, illness claims | CBC News The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) urge the Ontario government to implement guardrails on the public sector's use of AI technologies | Joint statement by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and the Ontario Human Rights Commission on the use of AI technologies | Ontario Human Rights Commission (ohrc.on.ca) Google's hybrid work policy is getting stricter | Google is getting tougher on in-office work, and says it will consider attendance in employee performance reviews (yahoo.com)June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada and a start of the Pride Season | National Indigenous History Month (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca); Pride Season toolkit - Women and Gender Equality Canada 

Help Talia Battista fight for justice at Toronto Metropolitan University by partnering here: https://www.lifefunder.com/taliaIn today's episode, Cam is joined by Talia Battista, a pro-life student who has endured the most heart-wrenching discrimination at the hands of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), to talk about her recent win at the Ontario Human Rights Commission and how YOU can be involved in helping Talia find legal justice.Talia was brutally denied the opportunity to participate in a number of community and cultural groups on campus because of her pro-life conviction, but literally denied the opportunity to participate in a trauma healing program because of concerns her pro-life activity on campus (not in anyway related or connected with the program!) would harm other trauma healing participants.Please join Cam in contributing towards Talia's legal fundraiser here (https://www.lifefunder.com/talia)For more PLG podcast content go to: www.prolifeguys.comSubscribe to the PLG podcast YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@TheProLifeGuysPodcast

Liberty Dispatch ~ March 14, 2023On today's show, the boys look at even greater Chinese interference in Canadian politics, Big-Tech censoring Canadian news inpreparation of Feds passing Bill C-18, and Dr. Keiren Moore retcons COVID mandates to avoid accountability. [Segment 1] - More Chinese Interference in Canadian Politics: Ontario MPP Linked to Chinese Interference | True North: https://tnc.news/2023/03/10/ontario-mpp-chinese-inteference;Ontario MPP Linked to RCMP Investigating Chinese Police Stations in Quebec | Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/9538964/rcmp-quebec-china-police-stations;Chinese Police Stations in Canada | Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/9542123/china-canada-montreal-police-stations;SURPRISE!!! 71% of Liberal Voters Want a Public Inquiry in Chinese Interference | The Counter Signal: https://thecountersignal.com/71-of-liberal-voters-want-public-inquiry-into-election-interference;Chinese Interference into Canadian Elections | Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/9430612/chinese-government-canada-election-interference;Canadian's Feeling on Chinese Interference | Abacus Data: https://abacusdata.ca/canadian-politics-polling-abacus-data-march-2023 [Segment 2] - Bill C-18 Threatens Canadians Free Access to News:Meta to End Canadians Ability to View and Share News | Globe & Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-meta-would-end-canadians-ability-to-view-and-share-news-under-bill-c;Bill C-18 Explained | Globe & Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-bill-c18-online-news-law-explained;Bill C-18: https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-18;[Segment 3] - Dr. Moore's Masterclass in Gaslighting:COVID at 1000 Days | Queens University | School of Policy Studies: https://www.youtube.com/embed/czEKMSUDNr8;Proof of Vaccination Requirement | Ontario: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000779/ontario-to-require-proof-of-vaccination-in-select-settings; OHRC Policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates | Ontario Human Rights Commission: https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-policy-statement-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-and-proof-vaccine-certificates;Reopening Ontario Act | Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200364; Support Josh's Stand and Help Us Defend His Liberties! Sign Our Petition Here: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/i-stand-with-josh-alexander/ SHOW SPONSORS:Join Red Balloon Today!: https://www.redballoon.work/lcc;Invest with Rocklinc: info@rocklinc.com or call them at 905-631-546;Diversify Your Money with Bull Bitcoin: https://mission.bullbitcoin.com/lccSick of Mainstream Media Lies? Help Support Independent Media! DONATE TO LCC TODAY!: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/donate/ Please Support us in bringing you real, truthful reporting and analysis from a Christian perspective.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR SHOWS/CHANNELS:LIBERTY DISPATCH PODCAST: https://libertydispatch.podbean.com; https://rumble.com/c/c-1687093; OPEN MIKE WITH MICHAEL THIESSEN: https://openmikewithmichaelthiessen.podbean.com; https://rumble.com/c/c-1412501; THE LIBERTY LOUNGE WITH TIM TYSOE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1639185.CONTACT US:Questions/comments about podcasts/news/analysis: mailbag@libertycoalitioncanada.com;Questions/comments about donations: give@libertycoalitioncanada.com;Questions/comments that are church-related: churches@libertycoalitioncanada.com;General Inquiries: info@libertycoalitioncanada.com. STAY UP-TO-DATE ON ALL THINGS LCC:Gab: https://gab.com/libertycoalitioncanada Telegram: https://t.me/libertycoalitioncanadanews Instagram: https://instagram.com/libertycoalitioncanada Facebook: https://facebook.com/LibertyCoalitionCanada Twitter: @LibertyCCanada - https://twitter.com/LibertyCCanada Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/LibertyCoalitionCanada YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@liberty4canada Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW and SHARE it with others!

Liberty Dispatch ~ March 14, 2023 On today's show, the boys look at even greater Chinese interference in Canadian politics, Big-Tech censoring Canadian news in preparation of Feds passing  Bill C-18, and Dr. Keiren Moore retcons COVID mandates to avoid accountability.  [Segment 1] - More Chinese Interference in Canadian Politics:  Ontario MPP Linked to Chinese Interference | True North: https://tnc.news/2023/03/10/ontario-mpp-chinese-inteference;Ontario MPP Linked to  RCMP Investigating Chinese Police Stations in Quebec | Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/9538964/rcmp-quebec-china-police-stations; Chinese Police Stations in Canada | Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/9542123/china-canada-montreal-police-stations; SURPRISE!!! 71% of Liberal Voters Want a Public Inquiry in Chinese Interference | The Counter Signal: https://thecountersignal.com/71-of-liberal-voters-want-public-inquiry-into-election-interference; Chinese Interference into Canadian Elections | Global News: https://globalnews.ca/news/9430612/chinese-government-canada-election-interference; Canadian's Feeling on Chinese Interference | Abacus Data: https://abacusdata.ca/canadian-politics-polling-abacus-data-march-2023 [Segment 2] - Bill C-18 Threatens Canadians Free Access to News: Meta to End Canadians Ability to View and Share News | Globe & Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-meta-would-end-canadians-ability-to-view-and-share-news-under-bill-c; Bill C-18 Explained | Globe & Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-bill-c18-online-news-law-explained; Bill C-18: https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-18; [Segment 3] -  Dr. Moore's Masterclass in Gaslighting: COVID at 1000 Days | Queens University | School of Policy Studies: https://www.youtube.com/embed/czEKMSUDNr8; Proof of Vaccination Requirement | Ontario: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000779/ontario-to-require-proof-of-vaccination-in-select-settings; OHRC Policy statement on COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates | Ontario Human Rights Commission: https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-policy-statement-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-and-proof-vaccine-certificates; Reopening Ontario Act | Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200364;   Support Josh's Stand and Help Us Defend His Liberties! Sign Our Petition Here: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/i-stand-with-josh-alexander/ SHOW SPONSORS: Join Red Balloon Today!: https://www.redballoon.work/lcc; Invest with Rocklinc: info@rocklinc.com or call them at 905-631-546; Diversify Your Money with Bull Bitcoin: https://mission.bullbitcoin.com/lcc Sick of Mainstream Media Lies? Help Support Independent Media! DONATE TO LCC TODAY!: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/donate/  Please Support us in bringing you real, truthful reporting and analysis from a Christian perspective. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR SHOWS/CHANNELS: LIBERTY DISPATCH PODCAST: https://libertydispatch.podbean.com; https://rumble.com/c/c-1687093;  OPEN MIKE WITH MICHAEL THIESSEN: https://openmikewithmichaelthiessen.podbean.com; https://rumble.com/c/c-1412501;  THE LIBERTY LOUNGE WITH TIM TYSOE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1639185. CONTACT US: Questions/comments about podcasts/news/analysis: mailbag@libertycoalitioncanada.com; Questions/comments about donations: give@libertycoalitioncanada.com; Questions/comments that are church-related: churches@libertycoalitioncanada.com; General Inquiries: info@libertycoalitioncanada.com.  STAY UP-TO-DATE ON ALL THINGS LCC: Gab: https://gab.com/libertycoalitioncanada Telegram: https://t.me/libertycoalitioncanadanews Instagram: https://instagram.com/libertycoalitioncanada Facebook: https://facebook.com/LibertyCoalitionCanada Twitter: @LibertyCCanada - https://twitter.com/LibertyCCanada Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/LibertyCoalitionCanada YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@liberty4canada Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW and SHARE it with others!

ZOOMER SQUAD: WILL THE FORD GOVERNMENT'S MEASURES TRULY ADDRESS HEALTHCARE CRISIS? Libby Znaimer is joined by Peter Muggeridge, Senior Editor of Zoomer Magazine and Bill VanGorder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Policy Officer of CARP and David Cravit, Chief Membership Officer of CARP. In the news: late last week, the Ford government introduced measures aimed at addressing the ongoing health care crisis in the province. Among them was the controversial plan to introduce legislation that would move elderly patients out of hospitals and into alternative facilities as they await for the move to their preferred long-term care home of choice. Another notable measure is that paramedics will now also be able to take patients to other places other than the ER including a mental health facility or to treat them at home or at the scene. Finally, we do a bit more follow up on the Lisa LaFlamme story and specifically discuss the controversy that a Bell Media executive complained about her going grey. Our squad discusses the latest. AMBULANCE USE IN ONTARIO AND PARAMEDICS TRANSFERRING PATIENTS

In this session, originally recorded on June 1, 2022, we asked Katharine Coons, National Senior Manager, Workplace Mental Health at Canadian Mental Health Association, to share her five good ideas on how create a psychologically healthy and safe workplace. Read the full transcript. Download the session handout. Five Good Ideas Reduce stigma Normalize the conversation Use appropriate language Hold space to check in Prioritize flexibility Involve your employees in decision-making Remain agile and flexible Get comfortable with the accommodation process Lean on the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Tools not rules Explore how it can work for your organization Bring in an expert Review policies and procedures Psychological health and safety policy Periodically review Share, update, and reshare Provide training, programs, and benefits Leadership training Evaluate EAP programs and benefits Consider additional programs (e.g., Not Myself Today) Resources Reducing stigma and building empathy Flexibility and accommodation: Ontario Human Rights Commission policy and procedure National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Example of a psychical and psychological health, safety, and wellness policy statement by the mental health commission of Canada CMHA’s workplace mental health training and programs About the presenter Katharine Coons, M.Sc National Senior Manager, Workplace Mental Health at Canadian Mental Health Association Katharine is the National Senior Manager, Workplace Mental Health at Canadian Mental Health Association. She has over ten years experience working in mental health and holds a M.Sc. in Occupational Psychology focusing her thesis on Workplace Well-being. She has worked in a variety of industries across Canada and the U.K. and brings a diverse understanding of employee and organizational needs. Katharine is an expert columnist at Benefits Canada, has written for The Toronto Star and has been interviewed by the CBC, CPA Canada and Retail Insider. Katharine was also an expert judge of the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards. She currently serves as the in-house expert and trainer for Not Myself Today and the workplace mental health program at CMHA National.

Kim Lockhart, Canadian French immersion teacher and special educator in Kingston, Ontario, shares how she meets the needs of students in her classroom. As stated in a recent report, Right to Read inquiry report from Ontario Human Rights Commission, Ontario is removing the three cueing system completely from all materials and turning to reading science instead. In this episode, Kim models what an evidence-based phonics lesson might entail. In second language programs, it's necessary for students to build language comprehension by attaching meaning to decoding. Related EpisodesEp. 63: Kindergarten Teacher Reaches 100% Success Using Evidence-Based Practices Ep. 59: HQIM for ALL with Educator Sarah WebbHQIM as EQUITY for English Language Learners with  ELSF Executive Director Crystal GonzalesResourcesThe Right to Read Inquiry Report from Ontario Human Rights CommissionThe Simple View of Reading (SVR)Connect with us!Facebook and join our Facebook Group Twitter Instagram Visit our website to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Helping teachers learn about science of reading, knowledge building, and high quality curriculum. 

The Ontario Human Rights Commission released a damning report this week that found one in three students is graduating without the level of literacy the OECD deems necessary to succeed. Our guest is Alicia Smith, President of the International Dyslexia Association Ontario Branch and one of hundreds of parents whose stories prompted the OHRC Right to Read Inquiry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his military's full scale attack on Ukraine... with high precision air strikes.. and ground forces encircling key Ukrainian cities The Ontario Human Rights Commission is calling for changes to literacy in schools following the release of its 'Right to Read' report this week. The province may be lifting pandemic restrictions, but not everyone is ready to relax measures...including some places hit hardest by COVID, like hospitals. Right now, there are very few worker protections for the people who deliver food, or drive passengers around, using apps like Uber and Skip The Dishes. The provincial government is bringing in new laws to change that... but some feel those changes don't go far enough. As Canadians watch the news out of Ukraine unfold, many here at home are grappling with their own family's history of war, conflict and trauma. We delve into how caregivers can discuss those feelings with the kids in their lives. A group representing the Ukrainian people here in Ontario talk about what they want the province to do to help as the Russian invasions continue. Sounds like here with Jared Hillel featuring Barrie musician Scott Murray

He was our final live, in-studio interview in February of 2020, right before the whole world changed with this pandemic. We had him on to discuss the guide dog discrimination he'd experienced at a gas station in western Canada while on a road trip to celebrate becoming qualified as a lawyer. Ben Fulton is back with us on Outlook, at the start of 2022, to discuss the human rights case he's bringing to the Ontario Human Rights Commission on the grounds that he was discriminated against, while looking for student shared accommodations, after showing up to meet landlords. Once they saw his white cane or learned he is blind, suddenly their rooms were no longer available or they were worried it would be a liability to rent the room to a blind person outright. We, as blind people, are constantly having to prove we are not liabilities, that we don't all constantly fall down stairs. There is currently a housing affordability crisis in Canada and minorities, students, they are the most vulnerable in such situations. This stuff happens far too often and though Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects minority groups such as those with disabilities, some landlords have found a loophole when it comes to shared housing accommodations where a kitchen and other facilities are being shared. Ben is working with the Canadian Federation of the Blind (CFB) to put out a call to action, to collect the stories from anyone who has been discriminated against, from any marginalized group whether that's disabilities like blindness or race, religion, gender, etc. Fulton is a lawyer who specializes in human rights (a key part of what we advocate for on this podcast). He works with clients, in criminal and civil cases, to deal with minor offences which have baring on both jobs and travel. He works on alternative justice instead of the out-of-date punitive model and, with his own situation, he's fighting for legislation change for greater access for all. So tune in to hear his story, to learn from a qualified legal expert what the law actually says, and to find out how you might be able to help him create a more accessible and fair world from here on out. This episode originally aired on January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and King famously said: “ Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere . We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. If you feel you've been discriminated against when looking for accommodations, please help out Ben's case by sharing your experience through the CFB website: https://www.cfb.ca/discrimination-in-shared-housing To find out more about him and the legal services he offers to clients, check out his website: https://benlaw.ca To watch his presentation on this topic at CFB's 2021 convention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny0EYPLXxEQ And to hear Ben's first appearance on Outlook from 2020: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/outlook-2020-02-17-interview-with-ben-fulton-on-guide/id1527876739?i=1000488226657

According to a report by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, more than half of children under the age of 15 in foster care in Canada, are Indigenous. Being a foster child, and especially a racialized foster child, comes with its own set of challenges including stigma, lack of resources, navigating placements with different foster families and the impact on mental health including post-traumatic stress disorder, panic, anxiety disorders, major depression and drug/alcohol abuse. Black and Indigenous children are over-represented in the child welfare system and in today’s episode we are looking at some of those stories – where we hear from BIPOC adults who had to navigate the child welfare system and the impact on their mental health. We speak with one of the former residents of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children, Tony Smith, and the founder of a peer-support group for individuals raised in foster care, Foster-Up, Natasha Reimer Okemow. Natasha was a trans-racial adoptee, who also navigated the system from a very young age and is now reclaiming her Indigenous and Jamaican heritage. We also have insights from psychotherapist, Kosu Boudreau, who has personally experienced being in the child welfare system as a former crown ward. Here are their stories: Tony Smith: 05:47 Natasha Reimer Okemow: 29:19 Kosu Boudreau: 53:39 Other Resources: The Child Welfare Political Action Committee Youth In Care Canada Kosu Boudreau Bell Let’s Talk

The criminal justice system has a big problem....systemic racism. How often do you think about Canada's criminal justice system? Chances are you don't think about it often, or at least not the full system that includes the police, the courts and prisons. In Canada, Black and Indigenous people are disproportionately ending up in our criminal justice system and from a young age. The statistics on this are numerous and alarming. Read the Ontario Human Rights Commission report on Black experiences with police.Listen to Jorgina Sunn and Devin Napope's stories.Follow and join the conversation on social media:Email - knownonsensepodcast@gmail.com Instagram handle - http://instagram.com/racism.is.nonsenseTwitter - @nonsense_knowLinktree - https://linktr.ee/KnowNonsensePodcast 

The Ontario Human Rights Commission is developing a policy to help communities with the process of changing the names of public places when those names are linked to dark periods of our history. You share your thoughts about why this matters. Our guest is Chief Commissioner Patricia DeGuire with the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

The Bill Kelly Show Podcast: Justin Trudeau will have to contend with the defeat of three female cabinet ministers as the Prime Minister crafts his senior leadership team in what's expected to be a quick return to governing. The three ministers failed to win their seats in Monday's election and Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna didn't run in this campaign. The loss of four female ministers in total makes a significant cabinet shakeup likely. Mr. Trudeau has made gender parity a priority of his cabinets since his first victory in 2015. Two senior government officials told The Globe and Mail that Mr. Trudeau will outline his government's next steps once Elections Canada has finalized the seat counts, which could be as early as Thursday. Mr. Trudeau has not held a news conference since the election.  GUEST: Tina J. Park, Lecturer of Canadian Nationalism at the University of Toronto - While a bit short of a majority, Justin Trudeau wins a third successive election by a large margin in the seat count. Yet some critics say he should be put out to pasture. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh suffered a drubbing in the 2019 election, losing almost half his party's seats. With much higher expectations, he did badly again in Monday's vote, electing (pending mail-in vote counts) only one more member. Yet hardly anyone says a word. Read the full op-ed HERE. GUEST: Lawrence Martin, Author and Public Affairs Columnist for the Globe and Mail - The Ontario Human Rights Commission is seeking the public's input as it develops a policy statement on the display of derogatory names, words and images. The commission said it wants to address what it calls a “quickly evolving issue” that has increasingly seen Indigenous and racialized communities call for the removal of statues of historic figures “perceived as colonizers, slave owners or who advances racist policies.” It also pointed to growing calls for officials to rename roads, buildings and other institutions named after historic figures, for the same reasons. ALSO: Ryerson University unveils monument celebrating Indigenous teachings GUEST: Patti Doyle-Bedwell, Native Studies Instructor with Dalhousie University See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Canadian Red Cross is now offering opioid poisoning response training in addition to first aid and CPR. Shannon Scully-Pratt, an opioid harm reduction expert with the Canadian Red Cross in Barrie, tells us more about the initiatvie; What's to be done when the name of a street or a building, a statue or a sports team is culturally insensitive or offensive? The Ontario Human Rights Commission is offering to help municipalities and organizations by developing a policy statement on the display of discriminatory names, words and images. We find out more from the commission's Jeff Poirier; Many families are grappling with conflicting opinions on vaccines. So is there a way to navigate or reconcile these differences? Psychologist and author, Sara Dimerman offers some advice; Laura Joyce tells us about Orillia's annual Walk for Dog Guides, one of hundreds across Canada that help raise money to train guide dogs for those in need; Firdaus Ali from The Canadian Council of Muslim Women's outlines their new social media campaign Hate2Healing; The People's Party of Canada attracted a significant number voters in the recent federal election. Is an American-style populism emerging here? Author Daniel Tencer offers his perspective; Filmmaker Sergio Navaretta previews this year's Barrie Film Festival.

In this episode, President Brad Regher will talk with two private lawyers who have dealt extensively with public servants in the course of their work. They discuss call to Action number 57 which calls for governments at all levels to educate civil servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law and Aboriginal-Crown relationsMaggie Wente, a partner with Olthius Kleer Townshend in Toronto, is a member of Ontario's Serpent River First Nation. Maggie has a broad practice serving First Nations governments, their related entities, businesses and not-for-profit corporations. She is past-President of the Board of Directors at Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto, and served as a Commissioner on the Ontario Human Rights Commission for nine years.David Nahwegahbow, founding partner of Nahwegahbow Corbiere in Orillia, has represented First Nations in land claims, treaty and Aboriginal rights litigation and negotiation. He's a founding member of the Indigenous Bar Association. And he's Anishinabe from Whitefish River First Nation in Ontario.Click here to register to The Path - Your Journey Through Indigenous CanadaTo contact us (please include in the subject line ''Podcast''): podcasts@cba.orgPlease subscribe, rate and review our podcast if you are enjoying it on Apple Podcasts. 

Guests: Natasha Calvinho, criminal defence lawyer, and Toronto Star reporters Alyshah Hasham and Jim Rankin “This Matters” takes a look at the Ontario government’s confusing flip-flop messaging on police enforcement of COVID-related, stay-at-home orders. Although the province backed down from last Friday’s controversial announcement granting police powers to arbitrarily stop and question anyone, the rules still allow police to stop anyone if they have “a reason to suspect” stay-at-home orders are being violated. The Ontario Human Rights Commission says its worried that these discretionary police powers will put racialized and vulnerable people at risk. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

February is Black History Month in Canada and the US! Since I am Canadian I figured it would be interesting to talk about the history of Black History Month here in Canada and talk about some of the awesome Black and African-Canadians that helped shape this country into what it is today!Where, when and how did Black History Month happen up here in the Great North? Grab your bong, hang out with me and I will tell you a little about it!I only touch on a small portion of the contributions that Black Canadians have made, so I encourage everyone to go out and do their own research! Here is a list of the people I talked about in this episode and a link to the Government of Canada website's page on Black History in Canada.There are a ton of great resources out there, besides these, so keep searching!The people I mention in this episode:Mathieu Da Costa - First recorded Black person in CanadaCarter G Woodson - American historianFrederick Douglas - Former slave and American AbolitionistStanley Grizzle - Host of the first Black History Week in Toronto, President of the CPR's division of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car PortersKathleen "Kay" Livingstone - helped create the first National Congress of Black Women of Canada - I apologize, I accidentally kept pronouncing her last name as Livingston, when it is Livingstone! I didn't notice until the very end.Dr Daniel Hill - First Director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and one of the founding members of the Ontario Black History SocietyWilson Brooks - First Black School Principal in Toronto, Ontario and one of the founding members of the Ontario Black History SocietyRosemary Sadlier - Influential civil rights activist and promoter of Black history in Canada, former President of the Ontario Black History Society and lobbyist for national Black History MonthJean Augustine - Brought the idea of national Black History Month to the Canadian House of Commons, first Black woman in Canadian Parliament, first Black woman in the Canadian federal cabinet and the first Black person in the Speaker's Chair in the Canadian House of CommonsBlack History In Canada page from the Canadian Government:https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/history-ethnic-cultural/Pages/blacks.aspxIntro and background music:Funkorama by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkoramaLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Ena Chadha discusses her role as Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. She describes the importance of taking an intersectional approach to disability discrimination. We discuss the importance of Indigenous Disability Awareness Month and reflect on the tragic passing of Joyce Echaquan, an Indigenous woman whose tragic death in a Quebec hospital sparked outrage. This is the November 22, 2020 episode.

Karlene Nation speaks to a powerful roster of guests including Blacklock's reporter Tom Korski about the Trudeau government handing out sole sourced contracts. Ena Chadha of the Ontario Human Rights Commission talks about a report that indicates a disproportionately high number of Black people are being charged and arrested. Jay Cameron of the Justice Centre speaks about the case of the man hurling verbal abuse at Minister McKenna & Aaron Wudrick is calling on the Liberal, Conservative and NDP governments to pay back the wage subsidy they received due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Raw, inspiring, and humbling- Rabia Khedr's story is something we would like to make recommended listening for everyone. Rabia Khedr has been blind since birth but that has not stopped her from becoming a super-achiever. She has spent the better part of her life advocating for people with disabilities and for racial equity. She has founded Diversityworx and DEEN Support Services- both that help her serve the people she represents. She is also a founding member of CAM-D- the Canadian Association for Muslims of Disabilities. She has been the Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the Executive Director of the Muslim Council of Peel. She even ran for public office! While all these are great accomplishments in themselves, this spirited mother of four wins you over with her humility and sense of humor. Follow her on Twitter: @RabiaKhedr For links to her work: DEEN Support Services: http://www.deensupportservices.ca Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities: https://camd.ca Diversityworx: https://www.diversityworx.com Do send in your comments or feedback about this episode by tweeting them to @acrosshertable or e-mailing them at feedback@acrosshertable.com or send us a voice message at http://www.anchor.fm/acrosshertable/message Don't forget to follow Across Her Table on Instagram @acrosshertable (https://www.instagram.com/acrosshertable) Music credit: 'Storybook' by Scott Holmes & 'Once Upon a Time" by Audiobinger

With just eight months to go in his term as chief of the Toronto Police Service, Mark Saunders seems to have surprised everyone by abruptly resigning — without fully explaining why. He’s had some health issues, including a kidney transplant, but he said that’s not why he’s leaving.“Family is the most important thing to me right now. And sorry if anyone’s shocked in a bad way. ... But there are a whole host of reasons. And at the end of the day, it’s a whole bunch of things, but it’s going to be good to be a dad.”Mark Saunders, Toronto police chief“Family is the most important thing to me right now. And sorry if anyone’s shocked in a bad way,” Saunders said late Monday. “But there are a whole host of reasons. And at the end of the day, it’s a whole bunch of things, but it’s going to be good to be a dad.”Related: Gary Younge on Europe and the US: There is no 'better' form of racismReporters kept asking, why now? But Saunders refused to explain more.“Mark Saunders himself probably feels like, that he doesn’t necessarily want to engage in another round of conversation and potential reform, and that it may be better left to someone else who would have more time left at the service,” said Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, who studies policing as an assistant professor at the University of Toronto.Saunders was born in England to Jamaican parents who moved the family to Canada when he was a child. He was appointed chief by the Toronto Police Services Board in 2015.Owusu-Bempah said Saunders’ main competitor for the position back then was also black, and that candidate was seen as more progressive, with more ties to black communities. In contrast, Owusu-Bempah said Saunders was seen as more of a “cop’s cop,” since he had overseen the homicide and guns and gangs task force units.Related: From Minneapolis to Madrid, racial profiling and police harassment costs lives“The board went with Saunders, which signaled to many people in the community that they were going with an enforcement-oriented officer as opposed to a progressive, community-oriented officer,” Owusu-Bempah said.That choice was reflected in what people in highly policed neighborhoods experienced, said Sam Tecle, a community worker in Toronto’s Jane and Finch neighborhood.“I have young people that I work with who tell me they have to think about which way they go to school or to walk with a girl or a young lady so that they know that they're less likely to hit a checkpoint, which means to encounter police.”Sam Tecle, community worker, Toronto, Canada“I have young people that I work with who tell me they have to think about which way they go to school or to walk with a girl or a young lady so that they know that they're less likely to hit a checkpoint, which means to encounter police,” he said.Related: In France, the killing of George Floyd invokes the memory of Adama TraoréThere have been several high-profile incidents of black Canadians being racially profiled and assaulted by police. In 2018, the Ontario Human Rights Commission found that while black people were just 9% of Toronto’s population, they made up 70% of those who died in police shootings. Tecle said Saunders helped maintain the status quo.“He provides a certain kind of cover for those who believe that representation represents change,” Tecle said. “It becomes much more difficult to get certain calls to be made on the behalf of black and racialized Indigenous folks because so often, the retort is that ‘there's a black police chief.’”But after George Floyd’s death, Saunders declared that incremental change was no longer enough. He knelt with protesters in the street. And by stepping away from his position, Tecle said Saunders has left an opening — for possible change.Related: America’s BLM protests find solidarity in South Korea“It is a moment of possibility,” he said. “This is the beginning, I think, toward thinking that policing may not be an institution to which we should continue to invest — if black lives really do matter, as so many of our corporations and our colleagues at work and our bus drivers and our city councilors have proclaimed on social media.”The protesters have already won some change. Earlier this week, Toronto’s mayor committed to putting body cameras on all officers — maybe even by this summer. And some city councilors have taken up protesters’ calls to “defund the police.” 

In this episode we interview Dr. Deborah Weston about the significance of the right to read and about the public inquiry taking place in Ontario into human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities. References for this episode: Ontario Human Rights Commission inquiry website Empowering Readers and the Right to Read – Dr. Weston

Renu Mandhane is the chief commissioner for the Ontario Human Rights Commission. She discusses the commission's public inquiry into the human rights issues affecting students with reading disabilities in Ontario's public education system. This is the March 24, 2020 episode.

Cronyism is the name of the game! While the Chief Commissioner was hard at work to provide a shortlist of candidates to the Ford Government for new commissioners to the Ontario Humans Rights Commission - Doug Ford and the Attorney General decide to appoint candidates of their own that hadn't even applied! Adam & Mike play "Compare & Contrast" with this situation and the Ron Taverner appointment to the OPP Commissioner's position back in the fall of 2018.

We begin this month by tuning in to the Special Committee on Governance, which was created to find ways to adjust to the changes imposed on Toronto City Council in the middle of last year's election. We catch up with journalist and Walkcast creator Tim Querengesser, as he explains the "MacKinnon Report" — a long list of recommendations commissioned by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's United Conservative Party, which may mean belt-tightening for cities and towns in that province. Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane explains the Ontario Human Rights Commission's new policies regarding racial profiling in law enforcement, the collection of racial statistic in police stops, and even guidelines on artificial intelligence. And Don Eady, lawyer and partner at Palaire Roland Barristers, helps explain the recent legal decisions regarding Toronto's legal challenge against Bill 5 and the slashing of local wards.

Libby Znaimer is joined by Renu Mandhane, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and Mike McCormack, President of the Toronto Police Association, together they discuss the current issue of the possible utilization of race-based statistics in police work.

Social Media Constricts Communication and Activates the Fight Response. Recently, someone I follow and highly respect on Facebook, whose training programs I have paid to take part in, posted praise for an author and so-called intellectual for whom I have no respect – Jordan Peterson. In the post, my colleague praised both Peterson’s character and his book, “12 Rules for Life.” I wrote a comment to suggest that Peterson’s moral ethics were questionable, and that just because he’s published a popular book doesn’t he’s an expert in that genre, or that he’s someone that others should emulate. What if someone has something of value to say in one area, but on other subjects you vehemently disagree? In the case of Peterson, he refuses to respect the rights of trans individuals to be called by their name and pronouns of choice. He’s gone so far as to call for the abolishment of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. Given the work I do – my LGBTQ advocacy and the fact that I am an out gay man – it behooves me to stand up to this kind of intellectual bully. Peterson is a white, cis male who refuses to give up an iota of power (that he falsely believes is being threatened) when it comes to respecting human rights. In all seriousness, why is it so difficult for Peterson to call a person by their preferred pronoun? This goes beyond human rights, landing squarely in the realm of personal arrogance. Peterson calls the Ontario Human Rights Commission a kangaroo court. He makes this general statement in his classroom citing unnamed lawyers (clearly he picked points that he wanted to hear without a shred of opposition). This alone should cause one to be concerned about the man’s intellect and ethical fortitude. The Human Rights Tribunal operates effectively and fairly because it is, in fact, a real quasi-judicial body operating under clear and defined rules and procedures – quite the opposite of a kangaroo court. Peterson has a clear agenda to undercut the authority of the Tribunal and the desire to do away with the Human Rights Act itself because he doesn’t want to be “forced” to call another human being by their preferred pronoun. Canada is not a militaristic country. Canada is not an oligarchy. Canada is not a communist state. Canada is not ruled by a dictator. To compare the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal to a kangaroo court does a disservice to what it means to be a Canadian. If anything, Peterson has taken a page from the capitalist, American approach to power and is acting in a very unpatriotic, un-Canadian way. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech but everything to do with respecting the rights of the individual to be treated fairly and equally in the county of Canada. But I digress… How to interact with friends, colleagues, or a mentor who praises someone you know is highly problematic or controversial? The first step is to know the medium. Where did this happen? In this case, the correspondence took place on Facebook. Social media presents significant challenges when trying to make a specific point. The medium itself restricts and constricts how you can get your point across. People leave comments, memes, or icons, and then comment upon comments. At some point in the thread, the original line of thought is no longer the intention of the message. The medium serves the purpose to distract from learning something new or thinking differently. Each comment potentiates serving the ego by making a point to defend your point of view. This presents a serious problem for effective communication. This is what I attempted to do. I offered the suggestion that we need to understand that our mentors are just as human as we are. I shared a link to my podcast, The Hateful Prejudice and Elitism that is Jordan Peterson – LOP056, in which I criticize Peterson because it was clear my colleague didn’t know this information. That doesn’t make my colleague a bad person, nor did it make me think any less of him. There is so much information available to us that it’s easy to be ignorant. This ignorance is not neglect or bad behaviour, it’s a fact of life. Thankfully, my colleague was willing to look at the information I shared. What became problematic were the other people who decided to jump in with their opinions. I did not want to start a fight, which is why I made some statements and backed it up with a link to my podcast, and a link to an in-depth article by someone else who backed up their research with references. What I soon discovered was that trying to change minds on Facebook (which is even harder to do on Twitter) is exceptionally difficult. One person made reference to how people on the left get upset when they don’t feel included around issues of equality and that they then act like snowflakes. I’ve heard it said elsewhere that people on social media who use general and undefined terms like neoliberalism, the left, or snowflakes want to appear intellectual. Essentially they don’t have to do the hard work of thinking for themselves. They want to have one creed, or one leader, that allows them to prejudge the world and everything easily. It only took me a moment to click on this person’s profile page to see that he was a white male. I cannot assume his privilege, but let’s just start with that first fact: white male. How easy is it for someone to call other people weak – a snowflake – when they have never suffered prejudice, racism, sexism, etc. for wanting to be an equally respected human being? This is a careless and thoughtless reaction which results in indirect bullying. Social media is the perfect place to demonstrate the absence of empathy. I chose not to participate any further in the discussion and turned off notifications to the post. I could have created a steel-man argument, summarizing the other people’s arguments to help them see that I understood their point of view. From there I could’ve suggested how they could use empathy to understand my viewpoint. What I decided is that, as the comments on the Facebook post became more deeply nested, the more difficult and unlikely it was becoming to change hearts and minds. There was only one solution: use a different medium (this article and a podcast). Changing hearts and minds requires patience, time, and either face-to-face interaction, or a longer form medium like a podcast episode or an article that someone can read and reread to dissect the ideas presented, and to understand and evolve their own thoughts and ideas. To think critically, you have to first think for yourself. In the first instance, this means getting off platforms like Facebook or Twitter. I don’t mean deleting your profile, rather step away from the discussion or argument and take some time to reflect. If there’s something you don’t understand, do your research and look for both supporters and detractors on the subject. If there’s something you’re telling yourself that you refuse to believe (because you think you’re right), ask yourself, “Is this true? Could I be wrong?” Or, “Is there something I don’t know that might change my mind?” A growth mindset requires both the time to evolve, but more importantly, the willingness to seek out new and possibly uncomfortable information along with the willingness to contemplate what that means to you. Notice how your body feels as you challenge your thinking. Is your heart racing? Are you getting upset? Are you furrowing your brow not wanting to accept this new information or different points of view? The more emotionally attached you are to an idea, the more difficult it will be to change your thoughts and beliefs. Beliefs are not reasonable A belief in something, which can also be called faith, has no factual reasoning. There’s no proof that God exists in a comparable way to how we substantiate things with scientific reasoning and discovery. If you simply believe something to be true that does not make it so. The more your beliefs are built upon faith or emotions, the more easily you will get sucked into believing what other people tell you, groupthink, and other potentially dangerous patterns of behaviour. Evolving how we think and modifying our behaviours and opinions is challenging yet rewarding work. The more you can substantiate your point of view, the more of a critical thinker you will become. But beware the lack of empathy for others, and the social media default to immediately defend your point of view, before doing your homework to determine the source or the origin of the message in question. Further Critical Thinking How to Let Go of Being Right to Be Who You Are – LOP018 How We Treat Each Other Reflects Who We Are What Are We Striving For — As Individuals and as a Human Collective? Why We Need to Engage Critics and Defuse Outrage – LOP051 Do Actions Speak Louder Than Words? – LOP057 Jordan Peterson Is Divisive Because of His Weaknesses, Not His Strengths Header image: magro_kr

On a special bonus episode, Ryan Drury and Adam Bell discuss a number of topics, including the forced logo change of the Mitchell Hawks by the Ontario Human Rights Commission as 40 teams around Ontario received a similar order. They also discuss a big trade by the Wingham Ironmen, roster rule changes in the WOAA Senior League, and how the EA Sports NHL franchise is terminally disappointing.

In the final segment this week, Vladdy Jr. murdering baseballs at the home run derby is discussed, as he set numerous records. The guys also briefly preview an upcoming bonus episode on the Mitchell Hawks being forced to change their Indigenous inspired logo by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and of course, Cranky Clarkey has to gripe about Mitch Marner.

In this episode, RUDE connects with DESMOND COLE, reknown journalist and anti-black racism activist from Toronto and SUNIL GURMUKH, counsel at the Ontario Human Rights Commission who focuses on racial profiling. The episode delves into the messy world of smart cities and the effects of uninhibited surveillance in our public spaces. It explores the role of democracy and its changing nature in a tech-dominated reality. We question our guests and listeners about the consequences of this surveillance on individual well-being, community cohesion, and trust. And then, we get concrete and aim to figure out what we can all do about it. Come find out and join the RUDE community.

Latinx immigration to Canada has increased over the past years, and its demographics have shifted according to socio-political events in the region. Diana recounts her/story about navigating the education system in Canada as a recent immigrant, and how her rebeldía kept her going. She argues that the legacy of racism and colonialism permeates through Canadian multiculturalism. For racialized and Indigenous students to collectively succeed within the education system, schools and other educational institutions have to take responsibility for recognizing the ways in which racism and colonialism operate as part of their policies and practices. We conclude with the importance of knowing about colonial histories as we create new futures that don’t perpetuate inequalities. Bio: Diana M. Barrero Jaramillo (@Barrero_Di) is a doctoral student in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. Her master’s research focused on how educational policies reproduce racial order in settler colonial contexts through the discourse of achievement gaps (http://hdl.handle.net/1807/89560). More recently, her work has shifted towards the role of memory, remembering and stories within educational research. Suggested citation of this podcast (APA): Ortega, Y. (Producer). (2019, April 2). Chasing Encounters – Episode – 9 – The Educational Researcher as a Storyteller [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://soundcloud.com/chasingencounters Sources: Bhattacharjee, K. (2003). The Ontario Safe Schools Act: School discipline and discrimination. Retrieved from Ontario Human Rights Commission website: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/ontario-safe-schools-act-school-discipline-and-discrimination Gaztambide-Fernández, R. A., & Guerrero, C. (2011). Proyecto Latino year 1: exploratory research: report to the Toronto District School Board. Joshee, R. (2008). Neoliberalism versus social justice: A view from Canada. In Power, Voice and the Public Good: Schooling and Education in Global Societies (pp. 31–53). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-358X(08)06002-6 McMurtry, R., & Curling, A. (2008). Volume 1: Findings, Analysis and Conclusions. In The Review of the Roots of Youth Violence. Toronto: Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Nasser, S. (2017). TDSB decision to scrap officers in schools program not “anti-police,” says chair. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/school-resource-officers-toronto-board-police-1.4415064 Royal Commission on Learning. (1995). Volume I: Mandate, Context, Issues. Chapter 2: Education and Society. In For the love of learning. Toronto: Ontario Ministry Education. Retrieved fromhttp://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/abcs/rcom/main.html Further Readings: Dion, S. D., Johnston, K., & Rice, C. M. (2010). Decolonizing Our Schools: Aboriginal Education in the Toronto District School Board. Toronto. Henry, F., & Tator, C. (2010). The colour of democracy : racism in Canadian society. Toronto: Nelson Education. James, C.E. & Turner, T. (2017). Towards Race Equity In Education: The Schooling of Black Students in the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: York University. Parekh, G., & Gaztambide-Fernández, R. (2017). The More Things Change Durable Inequalities and New Forms of Segregation in Canadian Public Schools. In W. T. Pink & G. W. Noblit (Eds.), Second International Handbook of Urban Education (pp. 809–831). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40317-5_43

One of the promises made by the current Ontario PC government was that they would repeal the 2015 Ontario sex-ed curriculum installed by the former Liberal government if they won the election. They repealed the curriculum within months of winning the election in 2018 and temporarily replaced it with the 1998 curriculum.In August a student’s family filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission(OHRC) about the PC government’s repeal of the 2015 Ontario sex-ed curriculum, claiming that the 1998 curriculum makes no mention of gender diversity or the rights of LGBTQ students. OHRC is intervening the case before the Human Rights Tribunal.This brings me to Jordan Peterson’s irresponsible tweet and my response:https://twitter.com/Think_Queerly/status/1090301638537932800I decided to listen to the Metro Morning show, in which host Matt Galloway speaks with the OHRC Chief Commissioner, Renu Mandhane about the sex-ed curriculum. The notes and quotes below are taken from the interview, which you can listen to here: Ontario Human Rights Commission intervenes in sex ed case.All students and their families deserve to see themselves represented in Ontario’s curriculum. The interim curriculum fails to do that, missing out on supporting LGBTQ issues, and issues of consent, especially for girls who are over-represented when it comes to sexual violence.The 2015 curriculum dealt significantly with issues around sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, consent to sexual activity.The interim curriculum does mention some of the above concepts but really leaves it up to the teacher to deal with as they arise in the classroom. Of course, they may not arise which leaves kids without getting this information that would have otherwise been delivered.The job of the OHRC is human rights and to hold the government accountable.“The goal of the Ontario Human Rights Commission is to ensure that vulnerable and marginalized people are protected however unpopular they may be in society.” - Chief Commissioner, Renu MandhaneGalloway asks Mandhane how one responds to the parents who agree with what the current Ontario PC provincial government is doing, and who claim that they weren’t consulted, or that the material is age-inappropriate, etc. (My note: there were many studies and consultations by the previous Liberal government which can be easily found and referenced online.)Mandhane’s response is simple and elegant (paraphrasing):‘The curriculum needs to represent everyone who calls Ontario home. There’s a lack of knowledge some people have about other groups, but the solution cannot be an erasure of groups from the curriculum. What needs to happen with the future generation of students is a discussion about their human rights and their responsibility to other people.’What about the argument, ‘We voted for this government. Our concerns are now being trampled by the Human Rights tribunal.’“The fundamental basis of human rights is the protection of vulnerable people from simple majority rule.”Governments cannot act in a way that is discriminatory, even when they have a wide scope in which to act.The OHRC wants to ensure that LGBT students and girls receive the information they need as some of the most vulnerable people in society. They don’t vote but they are deeply impacted by these decisions.The social reality is that many youth face homelessness, girls face sexual violence, and many LGBT students don’t feel safe at schools. This is why the government must reflect this reality in the sex-ed curriculum.“The more you challenge people and the status quo, the more you face backlash.”  – Nighat DadFurther readingWe Need Humane Rights, Not Human Rights – LOP037How to Fight Doug Ford and the Ontario PC Party as LGBTQ+If You’re Straight, You Need to Come Out as HumaneWhy Do Queers Get So Fucking Angry?“Fucking Faggots Are Illegal”Not Having to Bake Cakes for LGBTQ People Is an Insult to HumanityShoving My Queer Agenda in Your Face — Take It!LGBTQ People Need This One Thing More than Allies

Last year an elected school board official in Ontario, Canada, called Charline Grant the N-word. Then that official refused to resign and blamed 'old age' and 'dementia' for her use of the N-word.  Charline battled the school board until a resignation happened and then she took it upon herself to run for School Trustee.  She's a trail blazer, who is giving voice to the struggles that Black students and parents face on a daily basis in the education system.  This is her story, it's my story and it's the story of the Black experience in education and how we have to educate the system to work for us. We reference a few reports in this podcast that you should read. The first is a report by Dr. Carl James called Towards Race in Education.  If you are a teacher, if you are a Black parent, if you are someone interested in education or human rights...read this report.  You can't read it and not be appalled by what it says and the outcomes for Black students in Toronto, Canada. Another report to read is the Under Suspicion report, put out by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. It talks about racial profiling in general- but also spends time focusing on racial profiling in Education.   You can follow Charline Grant on twitter at:  @charlineGrant    

Léonie Tchatat, fondatrice et présidente de La Passerelle-I.D.É. et la commissaire à la Commission ontarienne des droits de la personne, se joindra à nous pour discuter des considérations et des défis particuliers lorsqu’il s’agit de servir les nouveaux arrivants et arrivantes en Ontario. ----------- Léonie Tchatat, founder and president of La Passerelle-I.D.É and commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, joins the program to discuss unique considerations and challenges when serving Francophone newcomers to Ontario.

In this session, originally recorded on April 30, 2018, two commissioners of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Karen Drake who is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, and Maurice Switzer who is a citizen of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation, joined Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane to discuss ways to move forward with human rights in the era of reconciliation and nation-to-nation relationship building. Good Ideas Note: Only four ideas are presented, based on the “principle of four” that is so important in Indigenous culture. RESPECT: Learn about Canada’s history and the responsibilities of our collective treaty relationship with Indigenous Peoples, and the perspective and experiences Indigenous Peoples bring to this relationship. HONESTY: Begin by humbly acknowledging what you don’t know, and making a commitment to work with the Indigenous community to fill in the missing knowledge. SHARING: Share in the responsibility for reconciliation by making a commitment to act on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, including honouring the treaty promises made to share the land and its resources to ensure that everyone can share in Canada’s prosperity. STRENGTH: Combine the lessons learned and the steps taken through respect, honesty and sharing, to make your commitment to reconciliation, an ongoing process of moving forward together as genuine treaty partners, travelling on separate paths but with a joint purpose to make Canada the best country it can be. Related resource: Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action Call it Out: Racism, Racial Discrimination and Human Rights (OHRC eLearning program) Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres Cultural Competency Training We Are All Treaty People by Maurice Switzer, illustrated by Charley Herbert, available in bookstores and can be ordered from the Union of Ontario Indians office, 705-497-9127 A First Nations Grandmother, Josephine Mandamin, from Manitoulin Island, who walked around the Great Lakes talks about importance of water For the full transcript, visit https://maytree.com/five-good-ideas/five-good-ideas-listening-and-learning-indigenous-peoples-and-human-rights/ About Karen Drake, Renu Mandhane and Maurice Switzer Karen Drake - Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission Karen Drake is an associate professor at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University (formerly at Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Lakehead University), a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, and a Commissioner with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Her teaching and research interests include Canadian law as it affects Indigenous peoples, Anishinaabe law and Métis law. She previously clerked with the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Federal Court, and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre. She previously served on the Board of Directors of the Indigenous Bar Association, as a commissioner with the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Commission on Métis Rights and Self-Government, and on the Thunder Bay Métis Council. Renu Mandhane - Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (2015-2020) Renu Mandhane was the Chief Commis

Seventh Day Adventist Theresa O'Malley wins the right to take Saturdays off. Theresa O’Malley worked in ladies’ wear for the Simpsons-Sears department stores in Kingston, Ontario for a number of years. In October 1978, she joined the Seventh Day Adventist church, which requires strict observance of their Sabbath from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday. In 1978, retailers made most of their money between Thursday and Saturday nights, so O’Malley was told she would lose her full-time status and most of her benefits if she insisted on not working Saturdays. She complained to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and after years of litigation, on December 17, 1985, the Supreme Court of Canada sided with her, stating that Simpsons-Sears had discriminated against her based on her creed (belief, faith). The retailer’s policy that employees work most Friday nights and Saturdays applied equally to everyone, but even so, its effect was discriminatory on O’Malley, the court ruled. The impact or effect is more important that the intention, the justices further explained, when it comes to protecting human rights. The retailer would not have suffered “undue hardship” in giving her different shifts or finding her a different role, the court added. This decision overturned the rulings of two other Ontario courts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission is launching a wide-ranging inquiry into what it says is racial profiling and racial discrimination by Toronto police. Chief Commissioner, Renu Mandhane joined the Kelly Cutrara show.

Supreme Court Upholds mandatory retirement for police. There was no question that Stratford Ontario police officer Albert Large had to retire at the age of 60; both the police board and his union had agreed on that. But Large regarded it as age discrimination, and took his case to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, which agreed. The city appealed, only to lose at two separate Ontario court levels. However, on October 19, 1995, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled against Large, saying the policy was valid under human rights legislation. According to the top court, most police work is strenuous, requiring young, fit candidates. If the force is peopled by too many older officers – who are typically at risk for cardiovascular disease and declining aerobic capacity – it puts strain on the department, which must scramble to create less strenuous positions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Preferential treatment of married men violates human rights, says Ontario court. It’s not easy persuading senior employees with families to work in remote job locations, but three engineering and consulting companies referred to as “London Monenco” engaged in a joint venture at the Ontario Hydro Generating Station Project at Atikokan, Ontario thought they had a solution. Married employees, the company announced in the early 1980s, would be allowed paid flights home every three weeks. The decision didn’t wash with single employees, of course. So Thomas Geiger, an engineer, and Bob Barboutsis, an architectural planner, filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission in 1984, saying they were discriminated against based on their marital status. They lost at the commission and the Ontario Divisional Court, but on July 30, 1992, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that the policy violated the human rights code, and sent the case back to the Human Rights Commission to assess damages. Unmarried employees no doubt cheered when London Monenco found its appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada denied. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Discussion with Professor Bruce Pardy, Queen's Faculty of Law and Asher Honickman, Advocates for the Rule of Law. What does Bill C-16 mean and how would alleged human rights violations under Bill C-16 be litigated? We discuss the Ontario Human Rights Commission's guidelines and how they might interact with an allegation of a Charter breach of freedom of expression, civility vs. legal obligations, classical conceptions of negative versus positive human rights, and some procedural and principled implications of Bill C-16. Links: Professor Pardy's opening comments at the Senate's Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8ReMwdurlk Professor Pardy and Jordan Peterson debate Bill C-16 at Queen's Law: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzkNHpiJ7AE&t=1327s

This week we sat down with Renu Mandhane - the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission to talk about... well.... human rights. Renu Mundane and the Human Rights Commission have been a leading voice against the deeply troubling practices of solitary confinement and racial profiling. Mandhane and the Commission exposed the horrific case of Adam Capay - a young native man who spend over 4 years in solitary confinement. They were also instrumental in the Ottawa Police Services' Traffic Stop Race Data Project - which showed that the Ottawa police were stopping visible minorities at a disproportional rate (and for no reason). Mandhane is articulate, passionate, intelegent, and a fierce advocate - in other words our kind of people.

While the politically correct, or PC, movement has gained footing in most facets of modern day society, it doesn't mean we should be complacent as citizens to follow suit. Jordan Peterson surely wont be, specifically when it comes to "preferred" gendered pronouns. University of Toronto professor, Jordan Peterson, has gone on the record, and even written a news article for the Toronto Sun, on "Why I won't use ‘preferred' pronouns – and why you shouldn't either".  Peterson has come under fire for a series of videos he made, entitled "Professor against political correctness". Peterson drew some criticism for voicing his frustrations for the Ontario Human Rights Commission's definition of “gender identity,” which is described as a person's “sense of being a woman, a man, both, neither, or anywhere along the gender spectrum.” “I don't know what ‘neither' means,” Peterson says in the video, “because I don't know what the options are if you're not a man or a woman. It's not obvious to me how you can be both because those are, by definition, binary categories. Jordan Peterson joined the Afternoon Drive with Kelly Cutrara, to discuss his side of the debate, and why the political correctness movement has gone too far.

Theresa Doherty has filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, alleging that the Toronto Police Service refused to hire her because of her age. Should age ever be a factor when it comes to hiring?

On this #InternationalWomensDay the Ontario Human Rights Commission is attempting to ban provocative or discriminating work wear. Calgary Today's Angela Kokott talks to Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane. -calgarytoday