COVID-19

Human Rights Day 2021

• December 10, 2021
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Human Rights Day 2021

Today marks the 73rd annual Human Rights Day, which celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (link) as put forth by the United Nations in 1948.

This year’s theme for the celebration is “EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights”, which relates to Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” » Read the rest

Dr. Poland Lai explores the impact of COVID-19 on individuals receiving and/or providing care

• December 1, 2021
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Dr. Poland Lai explores the impact of COVID-19 on individuals receiving and/or providing care

Dr. Poland Lai (link), Assistant Professor at York University, article Falling through the care cracks: younger people in long-term care homes (link) explores the issue of young persons with disabilities residing in Long-term care homes. She argues that LTC homes are not always considered as the most appropriate place for young persons with disabilities to reside, but the stark reality is that this is sometimes one of very limited choices available. » Read the rest

OHRC releases policy statement on vaccine mandates

• September 27, 2021
• Amanda Dimilta
• Comments Off on OHRC releases policy statement on vaccine mandates

On September 22, 2021, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its statement regarding the Ontario government’s requirement that residents provide proof of full vaccination to access certain public settings, specifically higher risk indoor facilities.

The OHRC states that the mandate is generally permissible under the Ontario Human Rights Code (link), as long as those who cannot be vaccinated are reasonably accommodated. » Read the rest

Eyes Open: An Anti-Asian Racism PSA

• May 28, 2021
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Eyes Open: An Anti-Asian Racism PSA

Eyes Open: An Anti-Asian Racism PSA (link) provides a powerful and poignant message encouraging all Canadians to recognize historical and present injustices in our communities.

With a marked rise in anti-Asian racism, this Asian Heritage Month, the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice has launched the #FaceRace Campaign. » Read the rest

BakerLaw Statement on Vaccine Equity Court Decision

• May 5, 2021
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on BakerLaw Statement on Vaccine Equity Court Decision

On behalf of our client, David Daneshvar, Bakerlaw is demanding the Doug Ford government immediately institute a vaccine equity strategy following today’s Ontario Divisional Court ruling. While today’s Court ruling stopped short of finding the government was infringing on its Charter obligations due to concerns about jurisdiction, it notes the case is being dismissed “not because the underlying issues are without any merit.” » Read the rest

Proof of Disability Required for those Alleging Discrimination Relating to Masking Rules

• April 27, 2021
• Khalid Mahdi
• Comments Off on Proof of Disability Required for those Alleging Discrimination Relating to Masking Rules

A recent screening decision by the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal (“BCHRT”) held that any complaints of disability discrimination arising from a requirement to wear a mask must be substantiated by evidence of the existence of a disability. This decision sheds light on the response to B.C.’s » Read the rest

Ford government in court on Friday over vaccine equity legal challenge

• April 14, 2021
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Ford government in court on Friday over vaccine equity legal challenge

Amidst mounting evidence and personal horror stories that the Ford government is failing to provide fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, the Province is spending precious resources by forcing a court hearing for this Friday, April 16th. The hearing will challenge the provincial government vaccine strategy that fails to provide clear direction and sufficient resources to Public Health Units to take an equity approach – which would include necessary accommodations – to vaccine distribution, as well as to ensure effective data collection. » Read the rest

Human Rights Protections Apply—Even in a Pandemic

• April 13, 2021
• Amanda Dimilta
• Comments Off on Human Rights Protections Apply—Even in a Pandemic

In the first merits decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“HRTO”) on the role of human rights during the Covid-19 pandemic, Vice Chair Jennifer Scott minced no words. “Human rights protections do not go away in a pandemic.” JL v. » Read the rest

Ford government faces legal challenge over failure to provide vaccine equity

• March 16, 2021
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Ford government faces legal challenge over failure to provide vaccine equity

 Ford government faces legal challenge over failure to provide vaccine equity

Community advocates warn some members of vulnerable populations will be at greater risk of death from COVID-19 without urgent change of course

Toronto, March 16, 2021 – Concern that Ontarians most at risk of attracting the COVID-19 virus will not receive fair access to the vaccine is prompting a legal challenge to the Doug Ford government. » Read the rest

The Ontario Government’s 2021 Triage Policy

• March 11, 2021
• Khalid Mahdi
• Comments Off on The Ontario Government’s 2021 Triage Policy

With the second-wave of the COVID-19 pandemic placing an increased strain on hospitals across Canada, the provincial government earlier this year released a highly controversial triage policy aimed at helping the healthcare system adapt (link). The triage policy works by assessing and placing patients in a colour-coded framework based on their risk of short-term mortality, which is defined as “survival beyond 12 months after the onset of critical illness.” » Read the rest