New online tool helps people in Ontario act on human rights discrimination
People who experience discrimination may not take legal action because the process can feel confusing, complicated, or out of reach. A new free online tool aims to change that.
The Human Rights Guided Pathway is a free online tool for people who have faced discrimination. It asks simple questions and gives step-by-step help to fill out an application for the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). The tool is designed to make the HRTO application process more accessible and easier to navigate for people who do not have a lawyer.
CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) developed the Pathway in partnership with the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) to ensure that the tool reflects both the legal process and the needs of people facing discrimination.
Funding came from a 2025 HRLSC Responsive Grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario that supports ongoing work to improve online access to justice in Ontario.
“We’re developing tools that don’t just explain the law, but help people use it,” says Jess Reekie, CLEO’s Executive Director.
The new tool is part of CLEO’s growing collection of Guided Pathways. These free online interviews help people fill out legal forms, draft letters, and understand their next steps.
Each Guided Pathway breaks down a complicated legal process into smaller steps. Users can move at their own pace, get information in plain language, and fill out forms or create documents tailored to their situation.
This approach helps reduce barriers like cost, complexity, and uncertainty. Users are supported and can move forward with greater confidence.
“We understand that many people who face discrimination may lack access to legal representation, or feel intimidated and overwhelmed when trying to navigate the HRTO complaints process,” says Dr. Remi Warner, HRLSC’s Executive Director. “Tools like the Human Rights Guided Pathway help reduce barriers to human rights justice by providing accessible, step-by-step support that empowers people to better understand and assert their rights.”
The Human Rights Guided Pathway is free, secure, and available through CLEO’s Steps to Justice website: stepstojustice.ca/guided-pathways.
About CLEO
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) is a bilingual, non-profit organization that develops free legal information that is clear, reliable, and practical. CLEO resources and programs help people understand and exercise their legal rights.
CLEO is part of Ontario’s legal aid system and works with legal clinics and community organizations across the province to help people who face individual and systemic barriers to accessing the legal system.
CLEO’s extensive collection of free legal information resources, including Steps to Justice, the Guided Pathways and CLEO print publications, are available on its website: cleo.on.ca.
About the Human Rights Legal Support Centre:
The Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) provides free, accessible, legal advice and support services to individuals who have faced discrimination or harassment contrary to Ontario’s Human Rights Code. The HRLSC is an independent, board-governed agency funded by the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General. It was established in 2008 as one of three pillars of Ontario’s human rights system. The other two pillars are the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
Media contact:
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
Michael Speers – michael.speers@cleo.on.ca