Human Rights

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, consent, sexual violence, accessibility, anti-racism, anti-Black racism, inclusion, 2SLGBTQIA+ 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 complaint resolution process.
  • Engage in community partnerships & consultation.
  • Educate the George Brown community about the college's Human Rights, Discrimination & Harassment Policy.

Education & Training

We offer 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 & 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

We are committed to maintaining an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. The Human Rights, Discrimination & Harassment (HRDH) policy and Sexual Harassment & Sexual Violence (SHSV) policy work together toward this commitment.

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.

Contact our Office

The first step in the complaint resolution process is to contact our office. You can contact us via email at diversity@georgebrown.ca or using this form.

Make an Appointment

The next step in the complaint resolution process is an intake appointment. These appointments can be in-person or virtual. During an intake appointment, we will provide support, resources, and inform you of your options within the complaint resolution process.

The purpose of an intake appointment is to give you the opportunity to make a complaint, which means providing information to initiate a formal process where a person may be held accountable.

During an intake appointment, Human Rights Advisors gather information from you that allows us to assess whether what you share might constitute a violation of the HRDH or SHSV policy.

If what you share might constitute a violation of the HRDH or SHSV policies, then we will proceed with the complaint resolution process.

If what you share would not constitute a violation of the HRDH policy, we will refer you to other offices as appropriate.

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.

2SLGBTQIA+

  • 519 – The 519 is a city agency and registered charity. It is committed to the health, happiness and full participation of 2SLGBTQIA+ 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 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada and to enhance the global response to 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. Egale achieves 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 email at diversity@georgebrown.ca

Office Locations

Casa Loma Campus: 160 Kendal Avenue, Room C221B

St. James Campus: 200 King Street East, Room 264D

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.

Land acknowledgement

George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.


Learn more about our land acknowledgment