Ontario Human Rights Commission: Celebrating 65 Years of Advancing Human Rights in Ontario

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 2, 2026) - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is pleased to mark 65 years of creating a culture of human rights across the province by opening nominations for the 2026 Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards.

Created in 2022 to honour Dr. Daniel G. Hill - the OHRC's first Director and the first Black Chair - the awards recognize exceptional individuals who have made outstanding contributions to building a culture of human rights in Ontario. Community members are invited to nominate leaders in one of three award categories: Distinguished Service, Young Leaders, and Lifetime Achievement.

The nomination deadline is May 29, 2026, and recipients will be honoured at a special celebration in Fall 2026.

"The Daniel G. Hill Awards honour Dr. Hill's enduring legacy and celebrate the extraordinary leadership, courage, and advocacy of individuals who continue to move our province toward a future rooted in dignity, fairness, and respect for all," said Patricia DeGuire, Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

This year's awards hold special significance as part of the OHRC's 65^th anniversary celebrations. Recognizing that human rights are everyone's responsibility, the OHRC is inviting people across Ontario to take action to learn about their rights and responsibilities to ensure that everyone is treated equally and without discrimination.

"For the past 65 years,' said DeGuire, "the OHRC has worked to protect, promote, and advance human rights across the province. As we continue this work, we encourage all Ontarians to join us to shape a province where everyone plays their part in building an inclusive society. Our democracy depends on our willingness to act, to speak up, and to lead with courage."

Submit a nomination today for the Daniel G. Hill Awards

Quick Facts:

• The Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards were established in 2022 to commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the enactment of Ontario's Human Rights Code.
• Dr. Daniel G. Hill was a pioneering sociologist, civil servant, and human rights leader who helped shape Ontario's human rights system and championed a vision of the province where dignity, fairness, and respect are upheld at work, at school, in housing, and in public services.
• Past award recipients are:

• Distinguished Service Award:
  • Lorin MacDonald (2024)
  • Rabia Khedr (2024)

• Young Leader Award:
  • Stefan Enrique Joseph Kallikaden (2024)
  • Autumn Peltier (2022)

• Lifetime Achievement:
  • Rosemary Sadlier (2024)
  • Kim (Brooks) Bernhardt (2022)
  • David Lepofsky (2022)

Related Links:

• Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards
• 65^th anniversary video
• 65^th anniversary webpage

Media contact:

OHRC Media Relations
Email: [e-mail]

For 65 years the OHRC has been promoting that it is public policy to recognize the dignity and worth of every person and provide equal rights and opportunities without discrimination.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290690

Source: Ontario Human Rights Commission