The Anti-Discrimination Intensive Program consists of a placement at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, an academic seminar, and a research paper. The program offers students the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge of anti-discrimination law and of an administrative law enforcement and resolution process from beginning to end.

In 2006, amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code introduced a “direct to Tribunal” complaints model that transformed the role of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and established the Centre. The Commission no longer carries complaints to the Tribunal. The Centre has the crucial role of providing legal support to applicants who are seeking remedies for violations of their rights under the Code from the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Students contribute to promoting access to justice by enhancing the ability of the Centre to provide legal services to those who have experienced discrimination across the province.

The Program begins with a week of intensive training (in conjunction with Parkdale students) at the end of August to prepare students for their placement at the Centre. During their placements (in either the fall or winter semester), students work Monday through Thursday (35 hours) at the Centre in downtown Toronto. Students participate in the Centre’s public inquiries service and are responsible for conducting detailed legal interviews on files that are referred from intake. In addition, students draft legal documents, partner with a Centre lawyer to prepare and attend a mediation, and partner with a lawyer on a file that is scheduled for hearing by the Tribunal.

Seminar meetings for all students in the Program are held on Fridays, commencing in September and continuing roughly every second week through the fall and winter semesters. In the seminar, students develop perspectives from which to understand, critically assess and think constructively about prohibitions on discrimination and their impact on society, and the challenges of ensuring access to remedies for violations of fundamental rights experienced by disadvantaged communities.In the same semester as their placement, students complete a research paper which reflects their learning in the seminar and their experience in the placement.

Requirements:

The 15-credit program is open to 6 students per term. Students receive a letter grade for the seminar (2 credits) and for their research papers (3 credits). Students’ work during the placement at the Centre is graded on a credit / no credit basis (10 credits). A written evaluation of each student’s work during the placement is prepared by the Academic Director, in conjunction with the Coordinator and the student’s lawyer mentor and legal manager. The written evaluation becomes part of the student’s transcript.

There are no required courses. Administrative Law and Discrimination and the Law are preferred courses that students are encouraged to take prior to starting their placements.