Definitions - Human Rights

Question 1

in reference to human rights complaints means the person initiating a Human Rights Code complaint.

Answer 1

Complainant

Question 2

means any distinction, conduct or action, either by intention or not, on the basis of any prohibited ground
under the Human Rights Code, which has the impact of excluding persons, denying benefits or imposing burdens on an
individual or group, which are not imposed on others or which withholds or limits access to benefits available to others.

Answer 2

Discrimination

Question 3

means engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known
to be unwelcome.
[Source: ss. 10(1), Human Rights Code]

Answer 3

Harassment

Question 4

means an alleged violation of a prohibited ground under the Human Rights Code.

Answer 4

Human Rights Complaint

Question 5

means the independent provincial government agency who receives Human
Rights Code complaint applications and assists parties to resolve complaints through mediation and/or a hearing.

Answer 5

Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)

Question 6

means the possession, reproduction, circulation, dissemination, publication or posting of any material
that may be considered harassment under the Human Rights Code in any area of a Toronto Police Service facility.

Answer 6

Offensive Material

Question 7

means an independent government agency that provides leadership for the
promotion, protection and advancement of human rights and builds partnerships across the human rights system (but does
not receive Human Rights Code complaints).

Answer 7

Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC)

Question 8

is created in a workplace when harassment or discrimination creates a hostile, negative,
intolerable environment as assessed by a reasonable, objective observer. A.poisoned/toxic environment can interfere with
any/or undermine work performance, and can cause emotional and psychological impacts. As such, it results in unequal
terms and conditions of employment, and prevents or impairs full and equal enjoyment of employment, benefits, or
opportunities. It often involves severe, wrongful behaviour that is persistent or repeated, but a single, stand-alone incident
can amount to a poisoned/toxic environment if it is particularly egregious. Service providers must also take steps to also
ensure that any environment where they are providing a service to the public is not poisoned or toxic.

Answer 8

Poisoned/Toxic Environment

Question 9

occurs when a member of a police service inappropriately considers race or ethnicity in deciding
how and with whom to intervene in an enforcement capacity. Racial Biased Policing includes racial profiling.

Answer 9

Racially Biased Policing

Question 10

means the member who is the subject of a Human Rights Code complaint.

Answer 10

Respondent – Human Rights Complaint

Question 11

means that particular roles and characteristics are attributed to people on the basis of a prohibited ground
under the Human Rights Code.

Answer 11

Stereotyping

Question 12

means organizational policies or practices that create or perpetuate a position of relative
disadvantage for some individuals/groups, on the basis of prohibited grounds.

Answer 12

Systemic Discrimination