Case Resolution - Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion

The Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (CHREI) strives to provide and assure excellence in the fair resolution of human rights-related conflicts and complaints from faculty, staff, and students.

CHREI responds to concerns, and complaints under :

Provincial Human Rights Legislation

Ontario's Human Rights Code, the first in Canada, was enacted in 1962.

The Code prohibits actions that discriminate against people based on a protected ground in the following protected social areas:

Accommodation (housing)
Contracts
Employment
Goods, services and facilities
Membership in unions, trade or professional associations.

Learn more about the OHRC

York Policies & Procedures

Related York Policies cover York's Human Rights policy including but not limited to questions of discrimination on the grounds of age, race, citizenship, creed, disability (including mental health and addictions), family status, marital status, gender identity/ expression, sex and sexual orientation.

York University Policies

YU Human Rights Policy

Equity related Policies

Contact a Case Advisor:

Book an appointment
Call : 416-736-5682

Leave us your name and email or phone number, and we’ll get back to you within three business days.

YU Complaints Procedure: A Snapshot

Frequently Asked Questions

Confidentiality, Impartiality & Procedural Fairness

For additional questions, email us at: rights@yorku.ca

All questions and discussions are kept confidential as per applicable laws.

When you consult with a Case Advisor (before deciding to file a case), any information we receive from you is kept confidential.

Once you decide to file a case, all memoranda and reports made in the course of action taken pursuant to these procedures shall be considered to be confidential to the parties involved and to those who, in providing advice and carrying out duties contemplated in these procedures, have a need to know of their existence and content. ( See: York's Human Right's Policy: 7.2 Procedure for Dealing with Complaints of Harassment or Discrimination)

No. The CHREI does not advocate for any party and does not provide legal advice in the matter of a case/ filing of a legal case outside of the university. We can, however, make referrals to legal aid services.

Where a human rights concern is being raised, our focus is on informal remedial mediation, alternative dispute resolution options, and where warranted, formal complaint and investigations. Our case advisors can also answer your questions about York polices as well as Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) related concerns.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms refer to informal and non-adversarial approaches. ADR approaches allow community members to become proactive in the prevention and the timely resolution of complex human rights issues. Some of these options are:

Informal Resolution: Includes information gathering and clarification, or early resolution (i.e. apology).
Mediation: Face to face or other forms of mediation and dispute resolution such as facilitated meetings/discussions, etc.

While we strive to educate as well as defuse contentious situations, we also offer options to resolve formal complaints such as mediation, investigation, and adjudication in accordance with university policies, procedures, and collective agreements should an early resolution not succeed.

Formal Complaint and Investigation: Assisting complainant with the formal written complaint and informing them of the process.

You may bring a person for support. Remember that under the Ontario human rights code as well as York's Human Rights policy, there is no risk of reprisal for contacting us. The protection from reprisal extends to you as well as any witnesses to the discrimination you experienced.

Yes. We work alongside other service providers at York:

CHREI also plays an important role in supporting the work of The Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education Office (The Centre) by processing matters under the Sexual Violence Policy.
We also make referrals to Student Accessibility Services | Division of Students | York University, Student Counselling, and Health & Well-being | Division of Students | York University

Other CHREI Services

Engagement, Education & Knowledge Exchange

Workshops, customized training and REDDI series, events, resources, DEDI Consultation, guidance and programming advice, planning and more.

Learn more

Workplace Restoration

Building mutual respect, collaboration, and understanding among team members starts with creating psychologically safe workplaces and learning environments. Our services and workshops help foster strong community connections.