Human Rights & Equity
Overview and Contacts

Our Human Rights & Equity Team works to enhance and promote the equal treatment of workers and freedom from discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

Our five equity groups – comprised of dedicated members and ONA staff – include members of Indigenous descent, members with disabilities, Francophone members, LGBTQI2S members, and racialized members. The groups recognize and support members who may experience discrimination and marginalization in their workplace. They are determined advocates who believe that workplace inequity can be solved through building relationships and spearheading action.

ONA supports members in a variety of ways including:

  • Developing guides and resources for members, including our Human Rights and Equity Guide.
  • Providing tailored workshops on a variety of topics, including bullying, workplace violence prevention, and much more.
  • Promoting special events and observances that underscore and promote equity issues.

As an ONA member, your collective agreement protects you and gives you the right to equal treatment and freedom from discrimination and harassment because of personal characteristics including race, ancestry, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability. We have won many fights defending members’ rights and advocating for new legislation to further protect workers. We take on these challenges, not just for our members, but for all workers in Ontario.

ONA Members – Get Involved!

If you would like to be more involved in our Human Rights and Equity work, fill out our Expression of Interest Form and let us know you’re interested in joining our Provincial Human Rights and Equity Team or our Anti-Racism Member Advisory Team.

Contact the Human Rights and Equity Team

The team is led by Karen McKay-Eden, Vice-President, Region 3 (Human Rights and Equity portfolio) and Leanne Cooke, Project Manager (Staff.)

You may contact us with a confidential message and we will connect with you.

By Email: HREIntake@ona.org

By Mail: Human Rights and Equity Team, Ontario Nurses’ Association, 85 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3A2

By Phone: Call 416-964-8833 (in Toronto) or 1-800-387-5580 (toll-free), Press 0 and ask for Human Rights and Equity. Please leave us a confidential voicemail and we will respond promptly.

By Fax: Fax to 416-964-3705, Attn: Human Rights and Equity Team.

If you have a human rights-related question related to your employer: Please contact your bargaining unit’s Human Rights and Equity Representative or your Bargaining Unit President for further advice and support.

Resources

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