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Provincial Human Rights Committee (PHRC)

The PHRC assists in establishing local and other human rights committees within Ontario and in OPSEU’s regions. It develops and promotes programs that encourage all members to participate in Union activities, and increases awareness and understanding of workplace, community, national and international human rights issues.The Provincial Human Rights Committee (PHRC) is comprised of one member from each of OPSEU/SEFPO’s seven regions. Delegates in each region elect their representative at the biennial Regional Meeting.

Provincial Human Rights Committee (PHRC)

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  • Join the Ottawa Pride Parade and Breakfast

    OPSEU/SEFPO’s Region 4 Coalition of Racialized Workers (CoRW), Rainbow Alliance arc-en-ciel (RAA) and Provincial Human Rights Committee (PHRC) invite members to participate in their Pre-Pride Breakfast and Ottawa’s Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, August 30, 2026. Breakfast: August 30 at 10:00am at Prova Bar and Kitchen. 101 Lyon St. Ottawa, ON Join the Parade: August 30 Pride Parade float leaves on August 30 at 1:00pm from Booth and Wellington Street. Set-up space TBD Join The Ottawa Dyke March: Saturday, August 29 at 1:00pm at 102 Lewis St. First the March then the community gathering at Minto Park Please RSVP for…

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Latest news and information

Shari Bishop
[email protected]
(519) 868-1010
Region 1

Kevin MacKay
[email protected]
(905) 481-4843
Region 2

Kris Weatherall
[email protected]
(905) 252-7957
Chair
Region 3

Mezaun Hodge
[email protected]
(613) 803-1637
Secretary
Region 4

Butterfly Gopaul
Region 5

Linsey Patterson
[email protected]
(705) 257-6049
Treasurer
Region 6

Owen Smith
[email protected]
(807) 252-7020
Vice-Chair
Region 7

What We Do

Some of the specific activities of the Committee are:

  • to identify needs within the membership with respect to Human Rights issues and to develop avenues to address those needs;
  • to liaise with Executive Board Members and provide recommendations with respect to policies and procedures that will ensure equity and inclusiveness for individuals in the workplace and union;
  • to liaise with the Executive Board Members and provide recommendations around human rights issues as impacted by current public policy trends, organizing and bargaining changes and issues;
  • to liaise with the Executive Board Members and provide recommendations around human rights issues as impacted by current arbitration and legislative changes;
  • to develop resources that are crucial to providing an increased awareness of human rights issues, events, speakers, etc;
  • to make available workshops, presentations, educations, forums for discussion, information as requested by provincial, regional and local members;
  • to support other Provincial Committees and caucuses based on human rights issues and perspectives but within their focus;
  • to raise consciousness and sensitivity around current issues affecting our members from a human rights perspective through available media i.e. In Solidarity, e-mail, educationals etc.

The Committee has identified the following strategic areas on which it will focus its education, collective bargaining, organizing, and communications work:

  • anti-gay/anti-abortion issues;
  • decent pay for work, the importance of maintaing public services and fighting for the working class;
  • combatting the misconception about unions;
  • accommodation, accessibility and the importance of breaking down barriers;
  • environmental issues;
  • promoting employment equity and bringing greater awareness on the plight of migrant workers; and
  • supporting Aboriginal communities.

This is a description of the purpose and structure of the Provincial Human Rights Committee (PHRC).  It outlines information on general aims and functions of the committee, how meetings are conducted, how finances are monitored, and the roles and responsibilities of all seven (7) elected representatives.

The Provincial Human Rights Committee was first mandated at the 1992 OPSEU/SEFPO Convention as a result of a constitutional amendment. The amendment read: “There shall be a Provincial Human Rights Committee composed of one Member, to be elected at the regular biennual regional meetings…”

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