OPA Presentation on Creed

Omar Ha-Redeye spoke to the Ontario Paralegal Association on the new Ontario Human Rights Commission policy on creed on March 19, 2016.

The OHRC’s New Policy on Creed:

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) recently released a new policy document to help prevent discrimination against creed. The concept of creed is not explicitly defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code, even though it has been included in the Code for over 50 years. 
Creed is often misunderstood by employers, those providing services, and in housing. The way that creed has been understood has changed considerably over the years, and now goes beyond religious beliefs and practice to include non-religious belief systems which substantially influence a person’s identity, worldview and way of life. This broader and expansive definition gives rise to greater liability and exposure for those failing to utilize this more encompassing concept.
Learn about the new OHRC policy document and the developments of interpretation by courts and tribunals around the concept of creed, and how it can be currently used before the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. Participants will review these concepts within the framework of Rule 4.01(5) of the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, as well as Rule 6.01(2) when commenting on these new developments.