OHRC to begin consultation on poverty

Press Release

July 25, 2022

In its 2017–2022 strategic plan, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) committed to working towards explicit human rights protection for people who experience poverty.

Research has shown two interrelated issues that are deeply entwined with causing or sustaining poverty, including the lack of affordable, adequate and accessible housing and the experience of mental health and addiction disabilities.

Over the coming months, the OHRC will undertake a consultation related to poverty with a specific focus on affordable, adequate and accessible housing and mental health and addiction disabilities. The aim is to publish a consultation report with findings and recommendations. Our goal is to advance the connection between human rights and systemic discrimination in these key areas and their potential to either cause or sustain poverty.

The consultation will include several phases, such as:

• Initial consultation with subject matter experts, including persons with lived experience with poverty
• Publishing a background paper and consultation guide to support a call for written submissions
• Launching a public survey
• Holding roundtable meetings with various stakeholders, OHRC advisory groups, First Nations, Inuit and Metis groups and people with lived experience
• Publishing a consultation report with recommendations.

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