The Ontario Human Rights Commission will lay off three of its seven intake staff, causing more backlog in an already overwhelmed system, say members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
OHRC staff will no longer serve the public by helping to fill out complaint forms, except in “extraordinary circumstances,” such as language barriers or disability. The complaint form is the legal basis for the entire human rights complaint process. It must be legally sound and contain all the elements of the complaint or the process will be compromised.
“Despite what the Ministry says, these layoffs will not cut the waiting time for the public, but will lengthen it,” said OPSEU President Leah Casselman, representing OHRC staff.
“Staff are already tied to their desks. It is difficult to get by with the current seven intake workers; it will be impossible with four,” said Terry Downey, OPSEU Executive Board member representing the Ministry staff.
“Higher-paid staff at the commission will have to spend more time investigating complaints, because intake workers won’t be able to go over the documents in detail with the complainant,” Downey said.
“Our most vulnerable individuals will be forced to wait longer for justice as a result of these changes - justice delayed is justice denied,” said Downey.
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For further information:
Terry Downey, OPSEU Executive Board 416-254-7146
