Ontario Human Rights Commission, Toronto Police Services Board and the Toronto Police Service receive final evaluation on Human Rights Project Charter

Toronto Police Service News Release

Ontario Human Rights Commission, Toronto Police Services Board and the Toronto Police Service receive final evaluation on Human Rights Project Charter

Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - 2:22 PM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100

On March 13, 2014, members of Ryerson University's Diversity Institute, led by Dr. Wendy Cukier, will present to the Toronto Police Services Board their final evaluation of the Human Rights Project Charter.

The Human Rights Project Charter was a three-year project initiated by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Toronto Police Services Board and the Toronto Police Service. It aimed to identify and eliminate any discrimination in the employment practices of the Toronto Police Service or in the provision of police services to the public.

"The Project Charter changed the conversation we were having with the Toronto Police Service," said OHRC Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall. "We all have a much better understanding now of the kind of culture change needed to eliminate discrimination and build inclusion in policing. The evaluation report helps identify next steps."

This was the first Project Charter of its kind and, based on this experience, the Ontario Human Rights Commission has started project charters with other police services in Ontario.

"The Board is extremely proud of this ground-breaking and important project which was built upon a successful and collaborative partnership between the Board, the Service and the OHRC," said Alok Mukherjee, Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board. "It arose out of the Board's desire for a comprehensive and concrete culture change in how the Service treats both members of the public and its own members."

The Toronto Police Services Board continues to work with the Service on implementing a number of Project Charter recommendations. The Board selected the Diversity Institute to carry out the evaluation to determine successes and challenges of the Human Rights Project Charter experience.

"The Human Rights Project Charter was a major milestone for the Toronto Police Service," said Chief William Blair. "We appreciate the recommendations made in Ryerson's report and we will incorporate them into our continuing evolution in addressing discrimination and bias."

Since the Human Rights Project Charter, the Toronto Police Service has continued to implement Project Charter recommendations and has launched like-minded initiatives such as Project PACER and Fair and Impartial Policing training.

Ted Rogers School of Management’s Diversity Institute at Ryerson University undertakes research on diversity in the workplace to improve practices in organizations. It works with organizations to develop customized strategies, programming, and resources to promote new, interdisciplinary knowledge and practice about diversity with respect to gender, race/ethnicity, Aboriginal peoples, abilities and sexual orientation. To learn more, please click here.

To view the final evaluation report, please click here


For more information, please contact:

Afroze Edwards
Ontario Human Rights Commission
416 314 4528

Sandy Murray
Toronto Police Services Board
416-808-8090

Meaghan Gray
Toronto Police Service
416-808-7095


For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Meaghan Gray, Corporate Communications