The Human Rights Branch supports the resolution of human rights concerns and complaints. This is by confidentially reviewing, addressing, and resolving complaints brought forward in a manner that is:

  • Fair
  • Just
  • Equitable

Intake Summary

During the reporting year, September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025, the HRB received:

  • 38 requests for support
  • 59 new complaints

This made for a total of 99 new intake files.

There were also no files carried forward from the 2023-2024 school year, as all complaint and consultation files were completed.

Complaints

Complaints come to the HRB from various sources. These include:

  • Referrals from internal and external stakeholders
  • The Request for Resolution & Incident Reporting Form
  • The human-rights@wrdsb.ca email address
  • Through direct contact with an HRB staff member

The table below illustrates the social areas and protected grounds that were identified through the 59 new complaints. Please note that a complainant may have multiple intersecting grounds of identity so the number of social areas will not match the number of complaints.

Code-Protected Ground Social Area
Employment Services
Age 2 0
Ancestry, colour, race 6 6
Citizenship 0 0
Ethnic origin 0 2
Place of origin 1 3
Creed 1 6
Disability 6 15
Family Status 0 0
Marital status 0 0
Gender Identity/Gender Expression 0 1
Sex 8 1
Sexual Orientation 1 0
Record of Offences 0 Applies in employment only

Resolution Process

In the 2024-2025 school year, the HRB supported the resolution of 62 case files. All open case files were resolved and no files carried over into the 2025-2026 school year.

Human Rights concerns can be addressed and resolved at all levels within the Board. As outlined in AP 1210 and AP 1215 there are multiple legitimate ways to respond to human rights complaints:

  • Early resolution
  • Alternative resolution
  • Formal resolution

Regardless of the pathway to resolution, complaints are taken seriously.

There were 14 complaints that did not meet the threshold for resolution by the Human Rights Branch and those complaints were referred to the appropriate pathway for follow-up.

Early Resolution

Early Resolution is a process where a concern is directly addressed at the site level (i.e. at the school or department level) by a manager or supervisor.

Alternative Resolution

Alternative resolution processes seek to bring resolution to human rights concerns without investigating or assessing the merits of the allegations. Alternative resolution processes could involve:

  • Mediation
  • Dialogue
  • Restorative justice

They are only appropriate where all parties voluntarily agree to participate.

Formal Resolution

Formal resolution involves a full investigation of the allegations by the Human Rights Branch or a designated independent third-party investigator.

Case Resolution Summary

Resolution Pathway Number of Cases Resolved by Pathway Percentage of Cases Percentage of Cases that Met Threshold
Threshold Assessment 14 23% N/A
Referral – Non-code 13 23% 27%
Referral – Code (Early Resolution) 26 42% 55%
Alternative Resolution 7 11% 15%
Formal Resolution 2 3% 4%

Consultations, Coaching and Requests for Support

The HRB responds to requests for support from WRDSB staff who are seeking guidance and clarity on human rights matters, where there is not a specific complaint or incident to be resolved through AP1210/AP1215.

In the 2024-2025 school year, the HRB received 39 requests for support. These requests come from:

  • The Request for Resolution & Incident Reporting Form
  • Direct contact to HRB staff members
  • Email requests to human-rights@wrdsb.ca
  • Referrals from Human Resource and Equity Services

Such requests may result in a consultation, identification of opportunities for training and education or proactive efforts to establish and sustain a human rights culture.