Ontario Human Rights Commission 2024–25 annual report touches upon AI impact assessments

In its news release, the OHRC shared that it collaborated with the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) in delivering the “Human Rights AI Impact Assessment” tool, which seeks to help organizations evaluate and mitigate the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) systems on human rights. 

Released in November 2024, the tool included contributions from the Canadian Human Rights Commission. 

“AI offers many benefits, but also has well-documented risks,” said Raj Anand, chair of the LCO board of governors, as quoted in the report. 

Anand added that the resource aims to be “a practical, step-by-step tool that will help organizations identify and manage AI risks to human rights. The LCO and OHRC have worked together to develop the first human rights impact assessment based on Canadian human rights law.” 

“Times like these, should remind us that the Ontario Human Rights Code assists in addressing discrimination in education, health, housing, and employment—key socio-economic determinants, which reinforce democracy and help impact the lives of all of us, especially the most marginalized,” DeGuire said in the OHRC’s news release. 

According to the OHRC, in the 2024–25 period, it made efforts to: 

• tackle systemic discrimination 
• raise its collaborators’ voices 
• emphasize shared responsibilities 
• advance educational reforms 
• celebrate Ontarians who volunteer and promote a human rights culture in the province 
• address Indigenous-specific discrimination within the provincial healthcare system 

“The Commission remains dedicated to working tirelessly with rights-holders and duty-holders to promote adherence to the Code and foster a culture of dignity and respect in all communities,” DeGuire said in the news release. “To these ends, the Commission invites all Ontarians to join in sharing this responsibility.” 

The OHRC’s news release noted that the province has more than 16.1 million Ontarians with diverse identities, abilities, and backgrounds. 

Initiatives

According to its news release, this past year, the OHRC has specifically: 

• published a status report on the second anniversary update of the “Right to Read” inquiry report, aiming to ensure every student in Ontario can access the necessary literacy supports 
• released “Dreams Delayed: Addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario’s Public Education System,” an action plan urging duty-holders to act swiftly and decisively to combat discrimination against Black students and educators within the public education system 
• oversaw its second biennial Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards, which bring attention to human rights champions 

The OHRC also shared that in 2024–25: 

• More than 215,238 users accessed its e-learning resources 
• 23,337 users viewed its e-learning course titled “Call it out: Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Human Rights” 
• Over 233 community members took part in virtual and in-person sessions to support the launch of the “Dreams Delayed” action plan and discuss their relevant experiences