This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
OPSEU presents brief to Ontario Attorney-General Michael Bryant
Toronto (7 Feb. 2006) - Inadequate funding of the Ontario Human Rights Commission has led to barriers and delays in filing and investigating complaints, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) says in a brief to Ontario Attorney-General Michael Bryant.
"Our brief highlights changes that would improve the current system and addresses concerns regarding the direct access model being proposed by some lawyers," says union president Leah Casselman. OPSEU represents frontline staff at the commission.
"We certainly hope the minister will consult his frontline staff and interested community groups before making changes that will further reduce access to the human rights complaint system," Casselman says.
Some lawyers in Ontario are proposing that the commission's mediation, investigation and litigation functions be abolished or significantly reduced - a solution that all citizens should vigorously oppose, OPSEU says.
"Abolishing or diminishing the commission is not a solution to problems created by years of under-funding," Casselman argues. "That would only undercut public interest, increase costs, financially benefit lawyers, and create a barrier for low-income citizens to access the process."
The OPSEU brief was prepared in consultation with the commission's frontline staff, legal clinics and organizations representing racialized communities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gendered peoples, and people with disabilities - those most often in need of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. NUPGE