ISAC has been actively monitoring and providing feedback to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)’s consultations on proposed changes to its Rules of Procedure since a series of consultations began in November 2024.
In phase 1 of the consultation, ISAC provided two sets of submissions on changes that would have affected unrepresented people trying to enforce their human rights at the Tribunal. ISAC’s November 2024 submissions can be read at this link (PDF) and our April 2025 submissions can be read at this link (PDF).
In May 2026, the HRTO requested further feedback on Phase 2 of its proposed changes to its Rules of Procedure and practice directions. These proposed changes relate to how the Tribunal screens cases to decide what is within its jurisdiction, how parties can communicate with the Tribunal, how case management conference calls are handled, and minor changes to the reconsideration process, withdrawing an application, and asking for a summary hearing.
The changes to the jurisdictional screening process were in response to a recent important decision by Ontario’s Divisional Court called Bokhari v. Top Medical Transportation Services, 2026 ONSC 1073, on which ISAC was co-counsel for the applicant along with Don Valley Community Legal Services and the Clinic Resource Office.
ISAC worked with Don Valley Community Legal Services to submit comments and recommendations on the suggested changes above to the HRTO in June 2026, which can be read at this link. Several other community legal clinics endorsed these submissions.
We will continue to monitor any changes in procedure which may end up further marginalizing communities most in need of the protections of the Human Rights Code.