questions

Human Rights Questions and Answers This site provides a wealth of information - but you might still have questions. Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers. You can also find common questions and answers in the Respondents Guide and the Complainants Guide and in the Go Beyond Words brochure. If you have a question not answered - or one you would like us to add to the site, just email us at gobeyondwords@peelsb.com. All e-mails are received in a confidential manner and will be acted upon in accordance with the Peel board's legal obligations, and/or forwarded to the appropriate person in the Peel board for response. All senders of e-mail will be advised by e-mail, and all callers will be advised by the Human Rights Officer, of any course of action.   What policy governs human rights in the Peel District School Board? The board has a formal policy - Human Rights Policy 51 - which was recently updated and strengthened. Human Rights Policy #51 is based on the Ontario Human Rights Code.   What is the Ontario Human Rights Code? It is a provincial law that gives everybody equal rights and opportunities without discrimination in specific areas such as jobs, housing and services. The Code's goal is to prevent discrimination and harassment because race, colour, sex, handicap and age, to name some of the sixteen grounds. The Code was one of the first laws of its kind in Canada. Before 1962, various laws dealt with different kinds of discrimination. The Code brought them together into one law and added some new protections. The Ontario Human Rights Commission administers and enforces the Code.   Where can I get a copy of the Human Rights Code? The Human Rights Code is available at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca, specifically at http://192.75.156.68/DBLaws/Statutes/English/90h19_e.htm   How can I get information from the Ontario Human Rights Commission? The commission welcomes the opportunity to help you find solutions to your human rights issues and questions. For example, do you have questions about a Human Rights issue? Want to know how to file a complaint? Don't know what to do if you've had a complaint filed against you? Visit www.ohrc.on.ca , email info@ohrc.on.ca or call Local: (416) 326-9511, Toll Free (outside Toronto Area): 1-800-387-9080, TTY (Local) (416) 314-6526 ,TTY (Toll Free) 1-800-308-5561   Who does the board's human rights policy apply to? The policy applies to anyone who works for the Peel District School Board. It also relates to those who attend school and use or repair school facilities including: students parents volunteers permit-holders visitors contractors   Does the policy only cover these people on site? No--the human rights policy covers behaviour not only at our schools and offices, but also at any board or school-related function - field trips, conferences, training sessions, work done off site, social functions, etc. This applies whether the contact is face-to-face, by phone, fax, e-mail, Internet or Intranet, or by any other means of communication.   What is Harassment? Harassment can be unwelcome behaviour, attention, remarks, cartoons, pictures or attention which upsets you. For the harassment policy to apply, the harassment must be because of one of the grounds for discrimination in the Ontario Human Rights Code   What are the grounds for discrimination? Based on the Ontario Human Rights Code, discrimination can be any action or rule, including harassing comments or conduct that affect someone in a negative way, based on their: Race Colour Ancestry Place or origin Ethnic origin Citizenship Creed (religion) Sex (gender) Sexual orientation Age (in employment, 18 - 65) Marital Same-sex partnership status Family status (parent and child relationship) Disability (actual or perceived) Record of offences (pardoned conviction, un-revoked under Criminal Records Act employment only)   Does it matter if a person doesn't mean to offend? No. It does not matter if someone doesn't mean to discriminate. Harassment is behaviour that is known, or ought to be known, to be unwelcome and offensive. What's important isn't the intent but the result of the action - a feeling of discrimination or harassment - of being treated differently.   Isn't the board responsible for human rights? Although the board has the overall responsibility for human rights, everyone is personally responsible for his or her behaviour.   What is my role? Know your rights–understand what protecting human rights is all about Fulfill your responsibilities–with our rights come responsibilities to others Learn more–seek out the information that helps you protect human rights.   What can happen to someone who discriminates? The Peel District School Board takes discrimination seriously. People whose conduct is found to be discriminatory face serious consequences -- regardless of their status, seniority or tenure, or position.   For people working for the board - discipline, including dismissal. For trustees - discipline, including recommendations for removal. Students - may be suspended or expelled. Others (visitors, volunteers, permit-holders, contractors, etc.) - Limited or denied access to board premises; permits or contracts revoked or not renewed.   Who do I contact if I have questions? Call the board's human rights officer at 905-890-1010, ext. 2440, for questions or help with the human rights policy or complaints procedure. You can email gobeyondwords@peelsb.com These calls and emails are confidential.   Is it true that some actions may be criminal? Yes - please report these matters to the police and the appropriate manager, supervisor or administrator. Examples of activities that need police attention include display of hate-based graffiti or pornography, sexual assault or the threat of it, gay bashing, or transmitting/storing pornography or other electronic communications that incite hatred and violence.   What should I do if I believe I have experienced harassment? Read the Go Beyond Words brochure for an overview of the process. See the board's policy - Human Rights 51 -, procedures and the guides for complainants.   What if I have been accused of harassment? Read the Go Beyond Words brochure for an overview of the process. See the board's policy - Human Rights 51 -, procedures and the guides for respondents.   What if I experience something that may not be harassment but I think is inappropriate? Lots of behaviour that doesn't fall within the definitions of discrimination or harassment can still be considered disrespectful or inappropriate - for instance, slamming doors, swearing at teachers, publicly berating the people who work for you or bullying. If you experience such behaviour, help is available. Immediately seek the advice of the appropriate resource person. For staff, parents and visitors, that could include a superintendent, supervisor, principal, manager, the human rights officer, or some other person in authority. For students, the right people to go to include a teacher or other staff member, the principal, or the equity/race relations officer at 905-890-1010 ext. 2625.   What if I have done something great to support human rights - or if my school or site has done something to go beyond words? Together, we will turn a policy into practice by going beyond words with human rights. Learn your rights and find out how to fulfill your responsibilities under the policy. Then, act on what you have learned. Look for ways to foster equity at your site and email myaction@peelsb.com to share your ideas. We will post them on the site.   I have a great quote on human rights that would work for this campaign. Where should I send it? We are always looking for meaningful quotations. Send them to myquote@peelsb.com and we will post them on the site. You can see some common questions specific to the process in the Complainants Guide and the Respondent's Guide (link to the common questions in each section?   (back to top)