Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA)
I have been very excited by the range of tasks I have been assigned at the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA). My primary project was to help CERA restructure in anticipation of Bill 107, which implements new roles for Ontario's Human Rights Commission and Tribunal. I spent my first few days at CERA reading and summarizing for CERA the available literature on this topic, including the relevant Human Rights Code provisions, Bill 107, a recently released draft of the proposed changes, and a published collection of papers about the Bill's possible effects. I then began writing two pamphlets that will educate sectors of the public about this bill. The first was directed at community advocates and social workers who need to better understand this system in order to advise their clients. The second was directed at laypeople who may experience discrimination in the future and consider filing a complaint.
Since Bill 107, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Code, has been enacted into law my activities at CERA have changed as CERA adjusts to this transformation of Ontario's human rights landscape. First, the publicity surrounding Bill 107 increased awareness of Ontario's Human Rights Code. As a result, CERA saw a dramatic increase in its intake calls from people complaining of discrimination in their search for housing, or in their interaction with their current housing providers. I increased my caseload to accommodate this demand, and am currently advocating on behalf of fifteen clients.
Second, CERA was invited to a training session run by the newly-established Human Rights Legal Support Centre. This session covered techniques for interviewing clients who have experienced discrimination, reviewed the Human Rights Tribunal's new application forms, and outlined the procedures that will govern the current transition period.
Third, I completed a comparative research project on British Columbia's direct access system, which is similar to Ontario's new human rights system. My research focused on strategies that legal advocates in B.C. have developed to address various problems with a direct access model.
Finally, I familiarized myself with the Tribunal's new rules of procedure, and began to fill out its new forms on behalf of one of my clients.
CERA's work environment is very supportive. I regularly collaborate with CERA's other volunteers, and receive frequent and very helpful supervision from John Fraser, CERA's Program Director. I have enjoyed the opportunity to do such interesting and rewarding work.
