...born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad

A message to my fellow Ontarians: Enjoy whatever lingering vestige of freedom you happen to have, because come the end of the month, the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s “new and improved” power to hassle us kicks in. Here’s how the commissariat describes its expanded mandate (my bolds, to emphasize the horror):

When the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006 comes into effect on June 30, 2008, there will be a number of significant changes in the mandate of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

Under the new Act, the role of the OHRC in preventing discrimination and promoting and advancing human rights in Ontario will be strengthened. The OHRC will expand its work in promoting a culture of human rights in the province. We will have the power to conduct public inquiries, initiate our own applications (formerly called ‘complaints’), or intervene in proceedings at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). We will be able to engage in proactive measures such as public education, policy development, research and analysis.

The OHRC has also been given broad inquiry powers. The HRTO may refer matters in the public interest to the OHRC and may ask the Commission to conduct an inquiry. We will have the power to monitor the state of human rights and report directly to the people of Ontario. The OHRC may also apply to the HRTO to state a case to the Divisional Court where it feels the HRTO decision is not consistent with OHRC policies.

We will, however, no longer process human rights complaints under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Dealing with such complaints will be the job of the HRTO. A new body, the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, will offer independent human rights-related legal and support services to individuals, ranging from advice and support to legal representation.

We will continue to be guided by the Human Rights Code in all our work. The overall spirit of the new law is that the OHRC is one part of a system for human rights alongside the HRTO and Human Rights Legal Support Centre.

In some ways, the new law enhances the OHRC’s independence. We will file our annual report directly to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, instead of through the Attorney General, as we currently do. We will have the power to monitor and report on anything related to the state of human rights in the Province of Ontario.

Our powers to review legislation and policies, for example will be very broad. The new law refers to our ability to consider whether legislation is inconsistent with the intent of the Code. We will have a role in dealing with “tension and conflict” and bringing people and communities together to help resolve differences. Our current role as a developer of public policy on human rights is made explicit in the new legislation, as is the way those policies can be used in issues that are before the Tribunal.

Arrrrgh! Run for the hills, villagers; the monster is out of control!

Posted by: scaramouche at 18:12 | link | comments (4)

Comments:

#1  17 June 2008 - 18:47

 

I was searching for an analogue.

It's Mao's China during the Cultural Revolution. Babs is going to be running amok.

Anonymous

#2  17 June 2008 - 19:49

 

"Frankenhall". Heh.

scaramouche

#3  17 June 2008 - 23:07

 

I sincerely believe all it will take to bring this beast down is one good case of civil disobedience by a brave person. One person to stand up and tell the HRC to piss off, they would rather go to jail.

Cyclist

Anonymous

#4  18 June 2008 - 19:02

 

Barbara Hall should not be referred to as "Babs". The use of "Babs" implies some affection.

I suggest Barbara Hall be referred to as CUD-CHEWING, RIGHTS-SQUELCHING BIG FAT DUMB COW. It may seem a tad harsh, but at least it's accurate.

Anonymous

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