Human Rights Services

The Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Services team strives to acknowledge, promote, appreciate and value the presence of varied experiences or qualities within individuals or groups.

We want to recognize, and aim to reconcile, historic and systemic barriers through advising and educating, and by facilitating a fair and equitable complaints resolution process.

Our advisors, and the team as a whole, cover a variety of areas and issues that impact the George Brown community, both on and off campus including human rights, discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, accessibility, anti-racism, diversity, positive spaces, LGBTQ2A+ community, equity and more.

How can Human Rights Advisors help?

As advisors at George Brown, we:

  • Advise and provide referrals for students and employees in need.
  • Raise awareness and educate about prevention activities.
  • Facilitate the complaints resolution process.
  • Community partnerships & consultation.
  • Educating the George Brown community about the college's Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

Education & Training

We offer one-on-one, group, and online workshops to

  • Educate about discrimination in the workplace for students entering a work placement or permanent employment.
  • Train employees and students of the college to understand their obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code and best practices to recognize and address discrimination.

To schedule a workshop, please contact: diversity@georgebrown.ca

How can we help you?

We all have a right to work and study in an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination.

It is the responsibility of all members of the George Brown College Community to review and comply with the Human Rights Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

Ontario Human Rights Code

We also recommend that you view the human rights code for the province so that you understand your rights and responsibilities.

"…it is public policy in Ontario to recognize the dignity and worth of every person and to provide for equal rights and opportunities without discrimination that is contrary to law, and having as its aim the creation of a climate of understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of each person so that each person feels a part of the community and able to contribute fully to the development and well-being of the community and the Province…" - Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H. 19

Read the Ontario Human Rights Code

Learn about our Campaigns

We organize and run campaigns throughout the year with the goal of promoting inclusiveness on campus. You can learn more about these campaigns below.

Pride Flag Raising Ceremony

This is a collaboration of members of the LGBTQ2A+ community and their allies who acknowledge the importance of creating Positive Spaces. This event is held in the first week of June

Inclusive Valentines

We commission artists who are allies and/or from the LGBTQ2A+ community, artists who identify as indigenous, racialized artists, non-binary artists, and/or artists with disabilities to create unique valentines that are available on campus.

Free to Pee

I'll Use Your Pronoun, No Big Deal

http://www.nbdcampaign.ca/

Providing a safe, welcoming environment for members of the LGBTQ2A+ community is a matter of personal dignity and safety. At George Brown, we expect all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation to be treated with dignity and respect.

Name Change Form

Students wishing to change their given name on George Brown College records must contact Debbie Cornwall (dcornwall@georgebrown.ca) in Student Services. Staff and Faculty wishing to change their names must contact Human Resources (hr@georgebrown.ca).

How can you promote positive spaces?

Being an ally is an important step to ensuring George Brown is a positive space. Here are some tips on how to be an ally, not only on campus but in your everyday life:

  • Don't make assumptions about people's sexuality and gender.
  • Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect.
  • Defend LGBTQ2A+ community members against discrimination in a way that is safe. You can refer GBC community members to the policies.
  • Confront your own prejudices and bias, even if it is uncomfortable to do so.
  • Be willing to learn from your mistakes.
  • Model positive behaviour for others.
  • Consider beginning first introductions and meetings with a 'pronoun circle.'
  • If you don't know, respectfully ask someone what pronouns they use after identifying yourself, e.g. "Hi, I'm Jess. I use she/her pronouns. How should I refer to you?"

We are committed to maintaining an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. If you feel you have experienced discrimination or harassment, we have a complaints resolution process in place to help you. Our department is dedicated to engaging in a consistent, transparent process to resolve any complaints that we receive.

Make an Appointment

The first step in the complaints resolution process is to make an intake appointment. These appointments can be in-person or on the phone.

The purpose of an intake appointment is to give you the opportunity to:

  • File a report, which means sharing information for the purpose of receiving support or getting more information. Or
  • Make a complaint, which means providing information to initiate a formal process where a person may be held accountable.

What happens next?

Our department will review your report or complaint and determine how to proceed. We will work with you to come to a resolution and support you with the next steps.

Check this visual representation of the Complaints Resolution Process

If you would like to make an appointment or contact us, please use the form below:

SUBMIT A FORM

Here are some resources about human rights that you may find helpful:

Anti-Black Racism

Government of Canada

  • Human Rights – Here you will find information about your rights as a Canadian citizen, how these rights are protected and how to file a complaint.
  • Rights in the workplace – Learn about the legislation put in place that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity and other grounds.
  • Ontario Human Rights Code eLearning Modules - These interactive modules are designed to help Ontarians learn about their human rights and responsibilities.

Legal Information

  • Community Legal Education Ontario - CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario / Éducation juridique communautaire Ontario) provides legal rights education and information to help people understand and exercise their legal rights. It focuses on providing information to people who face barriers to accessing the justice system, including income, disability, literacy, and language.

LGBTQ2A+

  • 519 – The 519 is a city agency and registered charity. It is committed to the health, happiness and full participation of the LGBTQ2A+ communities. It strives to make a real difference in people's lives, while working to promote inclusion, understanding and respect.
  • Egale - Egale works to improve the lives of LGBTQ2A+ people in Canada and to enhance the global response to LGBTQ2A+ issues. Egale will achieve this by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education and community engagement.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns or you would like to schedule an intake appointment, you can reach us by phone at (416) 415-5000, ext. 3668, or by email at diversity@georgebrown.ca

Office Locations

Casa Loma Campus: 160 Kendal Ave, Room C221B

St. James Campus: 200 King Street East, Room 246D

Waterfront Campus: 51 Dockside Drive, Room 230

Acknowledgement of Traditional Land: We would like to acknowledge that George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the land of other Indigenous Peoples that lived here over time.