Commissioner's Office of Human Rights, Equity & Accessibility

About COHREA

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPR) is dedicated to upholding dignity, respect, and equality for all individuals. It aims to create an environment where all members of the KPR Community (staff, students, parents/caregivers, trustees, volunteers and other community members) contribute fully to an inclusive and welcoming education culture free of discrimination and harassment. KPR is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment across all aspects of learning and teaching where student well-being and success is foundational.

The Commissioner's Office of Human Rights, Equity & Accessibility (COHREA) role is to ensure that human rights principles are embedded in every aspect of decision making where learning, belonging and relationships matter. As a key resource for all members of the KPR community, COHREA, attends matter involving Ontario Human Rights Code (Code) Code violations, advising staff on complaint’s management, providing system-wide human rights education and training and providing information and guidance for fostering and supporting an inclusive culture free of discrimination and harassment.

Learn more about the Commissioner's Office of Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility in the video below.

Discrimination and harassment are seen as threats to the mental, physical, and emotional welfare of the KPR community, as well as adversely impacting student success. These actions violate the KPR values and are inconsistent with the Code. Under the Code, every person has the right to be free from discrimination and harassment in educational services and employment based on Code (race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences (in employment only), marital status, family status, or disability). The Code also prohibits harassment in employment based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Sexual misconduct is generally considered harassment and/or discrimination under the Code.

Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act prohibits harassment and violence in the workplace. KPR addresses sexual harassment and violence through its Workplace Harassment Policy and its Human Rights Code Based Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

The COHREA employs a comprehensive strategy to tackle discrimination and harassment, which includes:

• Regularly monitoring organizational systems for barriers related to Code grounds.
• Establishing and following effective and fair procedures for responding to incidents of discrimination or harassment.
• Ensuring procedural fairness and due process for all parties involved in cases of alleged discrimination or harassment.
• Conducting site-base visits/review on request from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to address systemic discrimination at a specific KPR area/school.
• Providing referrals and services for individuals affected by discrimination or harassment.
• Recommending necessary disciplinary actions upon consultations with the Superintendent of Human Resources and/or superintendents who are school based.
• Offering training and education to ensure all community members are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
• Engaging in public education and prevention activities to members of the KPR community.

We are committed, ensuring that KPR represents, serves and reflects the diversity of our larger communities and that every person interacting with and within the KPR community are treated equitably and with dignity and respect. At all times, when human rights concerns are brought to our office, we remain ready and willing to assist in exploring a range of available resolution options.

Confidentiality, Independence & Non-interference (INP)

We are governed by strict confidentiality. Independence and non-interference remain central to our work. This means that we do not seek guidance nor are influenced by any individual(s) or area(s) at the Board when attending to human rights complaint matters. Written consent is a core requirement, if and when, we are required to consult with others.  

Contacting the COHREA in Confidence

The COHREA is committed to being a safe, neutral and confidential space for anyone in the Board community to bring forward human rights concerns, complaints or other related issues. As an arms-length office, the COHREA maintains the confidentiality of persons reporting discrimination and harassment, and of those accused of such conduct.

We welcome any concerns or questions regarding privacy and/or confidentiality.