Updates on Amendments to City of Toronto Anti-Discrimination Policies
City Council Decision
City Council on July 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2013, adopted the following:
1. City Council adopt the revised Declaration of Compliance with Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Legislation and City Policy (the template for Divisional use is attached as Appendix A to the report (April 9, 2013) from the City Manager).
2. City Council adopt the amended Human Rights and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy (Appendix B to the report (April 9, 2013) from the City Manager).
3. City Council adopt the amended Hate Activity Policy (Appendix C to the report (April 9, 2013) from the City Manager).
4. City Council request City agencies and corporations to:
a. review and amend their Human Rights and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination and Hate Activity Policies to reflect the purpose and principles of the City’s Policies as appropriate to their organizations, and/or adopt such policies; and
b. post such policies so that they are easily accessible to employees and service recipients pursuant to their obligations under applicable legislation by the fall of 2013.
5. City Council receive the report (April 8, 2013) from the City Solicitor for information.
6. City Council direct that the confidential information in Attachment 1 to the report (April 8, 2013) from the City Solicitor shall remain confidential in its entirety as it relates to litigation or potential litigation affecting the City of Toronto.
7. City Council approve the revised City of Toronto Community Grants Policy as presented in Appendix A to the report (April 9, 2013) from the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration.
8. City Council direct the Director, Equity, Diversity and Human Rights and the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration to research and propose a City of Toronto protocol to facilitate resolution of competing interests conflicts.
9. City Council direct that the Toronto anti-discrimination policy include a provision that requires an organization that receives either direct or indirect cultural funding from the City to not permit any hate speech or discriminatory behaviour or messaging that is contrary to the City’s Policy, in which case the direct funding is to be returned to the City or refused by the City.
10. City Council endorse the principle in the report (April 9, 2013) from the City Manager, that “Pride and all groups with competing interests ensure that they are complying with the Ontario Human Rights Code, not contravening hate provisions of the Criminal Code and that all sides are demonstrating mutual respect for the dignity and worth of all involved.”
11. City Council request an automatic review of the City of Toronto anti-discrimination policy at least one time each Council term.
12. City Council direct that use of the Major Cultural funding for the Pride Festival be limited to support for cultural elements of the festival including the performance stages and not be used to support the Pride Parade.
13. City Council direct that events which are funded by the City of Toronto, and/or take place in City of Toronto facilities/public space, are in accordance with the objectives of the City of Toronto of promoting respect, tolerance and diversity under the Grants Policy, Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Policy and Hate Activity Policy, and do not support partisan political activity as identified in section 5.1.6 of the amended Grants Policy, and that the grants guidelines and use of space guidelines are consistent with the amended Grants policy.
14. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to research and propose a City of Toronto protocol to facilitate resolution of competing interest conflicts.
Background Information:
Hate Activity Policy
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-58135.pdf)
Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Legislative and Policy Framework
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-58136.pdf)
Discrimination Complaints Handling Framework
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-58137.pdf)
