HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNAL OF ONTARIO
B E T W E E N:
Richard Ernest Bridges
Applicant
-and-
Northumberland County Housing Corporation
Respondent
DECISION
Adjudicator: Jay Sengupta
Indexed as: Bridges v. Northumberland County Housing Corporation
1This is an Application filed on August 14, 2008 under section 34 of Part IV of the Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, as amended (the “Code”). The Application alleges discrimination in the area of housing on the basis of age. The applicant also requested as an interim remedy an Order from the Tribunal prohibiting the respondent social housing provider from taking any action with respect to his furniture and other belongings pending a hearing into his human rights Application.
2In an Interim Decision, dated September 29, 2008, the Tribunal requested submissions from the applicant on the issue of its jurisdiction to hear his Application and how it raises matters which the Tribunal has the power to decide. The Tribunal also requested submissions on the applicant’s request for an interim remedy specifically addressing the factors listed in Rule 23.2. The applicant was given until October 17, 2008 to provide the submissions. The Tribunal has not received any submissions from the applicant in response to the Interim Decision.
3The Application documents contain allegations that the respondent housing provider assisted the applicant’s former spouse in denying him access or custody to his son over ten years ago, that the respondent unfairly cancelled his housing subsidy without explanation, and also that it took steps to evict him because of his attempts to hold it accountable for its conduct in relation to his son. However, there are no allegations concerning discrimination on the basis of the applicant’s age, the ground identified by the applicant as the basis for discrimination.
4The Tribunal does not have a general power to inquire into subsidy revocations by non profit housing providers, evictions or other claims of unfair treatment in the area of housing. Its jurisdiction is based on the Code, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability or the receipt of public assistance.
5The Tribunal finds that the Application does not raise matters which the Tribunal has the power to decide. Accordingly, the Application is dismissed. No decision is necessary on the request for an interim remedy given the decision to dismiss the Application.
Dated at Toronto, this 3rd day of December, 2008.
“Signed By”
___________________________________
Jay Sengupta
Vice Chair