Human Rights Legal Support Centre

09/30/2026

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

Today, we honour residential school Survivors, their families and communities, and remember the children who never returned home. It is a day to listen, learn and reflect on our role in reconciliation. We also reflect on our responsibility, as an organization and as staff, to continue our journey toward reconciliation across this place we now call Ontario.

Everyone has the right to live free from discrimination and harassment. This includes anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination in areas protected by Ontario’s Human Rights Code, including employment, housing and services.

The HRLSC provides specialized legal support to First Nations, Métis and Inuit people who have experienced discrimination or harassment under the Code.

Learn more or contact our Indigenous Services team through our dedicated phone line: https://hrlsc.on.ca/indigenous-services/

09/30/2026

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Our office will be closed Wednesday, September 30. We will be open again on Thursday, October 1.

09/18/2026

Facing discrimination in Ontario and need help with next steps? The Human Rights Guided Pathway is designed to reduce barriers and provide step-by-step support for individuals filing a complaint at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO).

This tool, developed in partnership with Community Legal Education Ontario, and supported by our responsive grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario, asks simple questions in plain language and uses guided prompts to help you complete the HRTO’s Form 1.

You can also learn more about the HRTO application process at https://hrlsc.on.ca/how-to-guides/completing-and-filing-an-hrto-application/

𝗡𝗲𝘄! The Human Rights Guided Pathway from CLEO and the Human Rights Legal Support Centre.
This free online tool helps people in Ontario respond to discrimination. The Pathway guides users through the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario application process to help people understand their options and complete their forms.
Stepstojustice.ca/hr-complaint

09/14/2026

Do you have human rights expertise and a passion for fighting discrimination?

The HRLSC is seeking applications for a Legal Counsel position.

Read more here: https://hrlsc.on.ca/about-us/careers/

08/20/2026

On August 17, 2026, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) announced updates to its Rules of Procedure, Practice Directions, Forms and operational processes. These changes apply to all HRTO applications, including those previously filed.

Key changes outlined by the HRTO include:
• Updates to the jurisdictional review process under Rule 13, including reducing the deadline for applicants to respond to Notices of Intent to Dismiss from 30 days to 28 days. The HRTO may also review applications for jurisdiction at any stage of a proceeding;
• Permitting the assignment a different adjudicator to hear requests for reconsideration under Rule 26.
• Providing further clarification on circumstances in which an application may not proceed to mandatory mediation; and
• Changes to the withdrawal process of applications process under Rule 10.

To help individuals seeking legal advice and support from the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC), we have updated key resources on our How-to Guides page. https://hrlsc.on.ca/how-to-guides/.

For legal advice and support services related to mandatory mediations, jurisdiction questions, Notices of Intent to Dismiss and other inquiries, contact us: https://hrlsc.on.ca/contact-hrlsc/.

08/19/2026

The HRLSC is pleased to announce the reappointment of Ena Chadha as Chair of the Board of Directors for a two-year term.

An award-winning human rights lawyer, mediator, investigator, and educator, Ena has dedicated her career to advancing equality, access to justice, and human rights across Ontario. Since first serving as Chair in 2018, she has helped guide the HRLSC through growth and innovation, strengthening dispute resolution services, expanding experiential learning opportunities, and supporting the Centre's strategic vision.

We congratulate Ena on her reappointment and look forward to her continued leadership as we work to advance our Five-Year Strategic Plan: Realizing Human Rights Together, with the continued support of our funders and community partners. The Law Foundation of Ontario Osgoode Hall Law School of York University Ministry of the Attorney General Doug Downey

https://hrlsc.on.ca/media-posts/ena-chadha-reappointed-as-chair-of-hrlsc-board-of-directors/

08/18/2026

Do you have human rights expertise and a passion for fighting discrimination?

The HRLSC is seeking applications for a Legal Counsel position as part of its Early Intervention & Mediation Services (EIMS) team.

Read more here: https://hrlsc.on.ca/about-us/careers/

Be sure to apply before Sept. 11 at 5:00 pm!

08/12/2026

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre's Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Sarah Colman as the Province's newest appointee to the Board. We are excited to benefit from her more than 20 years of experience as a lawyer and board governor, as well as her strong commitment to public service, as we advance our 2024-2029 Strategic Plan.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to departing board member Mary Joe Freire for her many contributions to the Centre, including her leadership as Acting Chair and Vice-Chair.

https://hrlsc.on.ca/media-posts/welcome-sarah-colman-the-newest-member-of-the-hrlsc-board/

08/10/2026

Are you familiar with human rights and have a strong knowledge of the legal system relating to adjudicative boards and tribunals? Do you have excellent knowledge of community resources as well as strong communication and interviewing skills?

If this sounds like you, check out our new job postings for two Human Rights Advisor positions with our team!

Check out the full job postings on our site: https://hrlsc.on.ca/about-us/careers/

07/31/2026

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre’s Board of Directors is proud to welcome Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige as its newest member, appointed to the Board in June 2026. The HRLSC is honoured to benefit from her extensive experience in leadership, governance, and advocacy, including her roles as a member of the Chiefs of Ontario Leadership Council and the Anishinabek Nation Leadership Council.

https://hrlsc.on.ca/media-posts/appointment-of-grand-council-chief-linda-debassige-to-board/