The Public GalleryToronto

General Government and Licensing Committee · 2022-07-04 · 2022.GL32.32

The filed record

2021 Annual Human Rights Office Report

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The decision

2022-07-19 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on July 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2022, adopted the following: 1. City Council receive the report (June 16, 2022) from the Acting Chief People Officer for information.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

In accordance with the City's Human Rights and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy, this report provides an annual update to City Council on the data trends and information related to human rights inquiries and complaints involving the City in 2021 through the City's internal Human Rights Office or external legal processes. The report also identifies program initiatives and policy development undertaken by the Human Rights Office to minimize legislative and policy breaches, thereby mitigating risks to the City while promoting equity and inclusion, including development and dissemination of educational materials for City staff.

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The Human Rights Office provides neutral, confidential advice and complaint resolution services to residents who use City services and facilities, as well as to the Toronto Public Service, Councillors' Offices and Accountability Offices. In 2021, the Human Rights Office received 1,935 inquiries, compared to 1,055 inquiries in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic, coinciding with the implementation of the City's Mandatory Vaccination Policy, 2021 saw a significant increase of inquiries related to accommodation. Inquiries related to the grounds of sex, including pregnancy and breastfeeding, creed and disability increased. There were notable increases in complaints related to gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation, and the number of sexual harassment inquiries increased in 2021, representing a shift from 2019-2020 reporting. As a result of the compounding effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued inequities faced by Black, Indigenous and equity deserving communities, inquiries related to race in 2021 were comparable to that of 2020 which saw a significant increase in race-based complaints from prior years, while other race-related grounds (e.g. colour, ancestry) increased in 2021.

Staff recommended

The Acting Chief People Officer recommends that: 1. City Council receive this report for information.

Considered

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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