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Anti-racism resources

Most newcomers to Northern Ontario have warm, welcoming days. Some don't. If you've experienced racism — at work, at school, in housing, in stores, or in the street — you have rights, and you have somewhere to turn. This guide covers what to do, where to report, and where to find culturally-grounded support.

If something happens — what to do first

  1. Document it. Write down what happened, when, where, who was there. Save texts, photos, screenshots. The sooner the better — memories fade.
  2. Get safe and reach out. Talk to someone you trust. If it shook you, our mental health guide lists free counselling — including culturally-grounded therapists.
  3. Decide if you want to report it. You always can. There's no time pressure for most channels — but the earlier the better for evidence.

If a hate crime is happening or someone is in danger right now, call 911.

Where to report

Hate crimes & criminal incidents

  • Local police — Thunder Bay Police Service (807-684-1200), Greater Sudbury Police (705-675-9171), Sault Ste. Marie Police (705-949-6300), OPP (1-888-310-1122)
  • Most Northern Ontario services have a Hate Crimes / Diversity Liaison Officer — ask for them when you call

Workplace, housing, and service discrimination — Ontario Human Rights Tribunal

The Ontario Human Rights Code protects you from discrimination at work, in housing, in services, in contracts, and in unions — based on race, ethnic origin, citizenship, place of origin, religion, age, sex, family status, disability, and more.

  • Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) — free legal help, 1-866-625-5179 · hrlsc.on.ca
  • Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) — files claims, tribunalsontario.ca/hrto
  • Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) — policy and advocacy, ohrc.on.ca (does not handle individual complaints — that's the HRTO)

Most claims must be filed within 1 year of the incident — don't wait too long.

Hate online (social media, harassment)

  • Report to the platform first (every major social platform has a hate-speech reporting flow)
  • If targeted at a child or includes threats: report to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection — cybertip.ca
  • For coordinated online harassment, file with local police's Cyber Crime unit

School-based incidents

Every Ontario school board has anti-racism policies and a designated point person. Ask the principal first; if not resolved, contact the board's Equity and Inclusion office. SWIS workers can support newcomer families through this process — see our schools guide.

Free educational resources & toolkits

Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF)

Federal Crown Corporation focused on anti-racism research and education. All their materials are free.

Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC)

Educational policies and guides on systemic racism in employment, housing, policing, and education.

ohrc.on.ca/en/learning

Canadian Heritage — Anti-Racism Strategy

The federal Anti-Racism Strategy (and the related Anti-Hate Action Plan) funds community projects through the Anti-Racism Action Program. Toolkits, Heritage Month materials, and grant info are at canada.ca → Multiculturalism and anti-racism.

Partnership for Research with African Newcomers (PRAN)

Academic partnership publishing research on Sub-Saharan African newcomer settlement, including a podcast on intimate partner violence in African-descent communities ("Better than the Cure") and briefs on parenting, youth, employment, and mental health.

PRAN publications →

Culturally-grounded counselling

If something has shaken you, talking to someone who shares your background can help. Most are virtual — they work from anywhere in Canada.

See our mental health guide for the full list.

Northern Ontario advocacy and community organizations

  • Diversity Thunder Bay — community anti-racism advocacy
  • Diversity Sudbury — community equity body
  • African and Caribbean Association chapters in Thunder Bay and Sudbury
  • Anishnawbe Mushkiki — Indigenous-led health centre with anti-racism advocacy programming
  • Local Immigration Partnerships (Thunder Bay LIP, Sudbury LIP, Sault LIP) — coordinate community newcomer-equity work

Common pitfalls

  • Not documenting the incident. Memory fades fast — write it down within 24 hours.
  • Not knowing the 1-year HRTO deadline. Most human rights claims must be filed within 1 year.
  • Going through it alone. Free legal advice and counselling exist — use them.
  • Not telling your settlement worker. They can support, document, and refer — and they don't share without your permission.

Next steps

  1. If something just happened: write it down (date, place, witnesses, exact words)
  2. Talk to someone you trust — and consider calling the HRLSC at 1-866-625-5179 for free legal advice
  3. If you want to file an HRTO claim, do it within 1 year of the incident
  4. Browse CRRF and PRAN resources to see you're not alone in this

DON'T LIVE NEAR A SETTLEMENT OFFICE?

Call the regional org for your area.

Settlement workers will register you by phone or video and help you find local supports. There's no requirement to live in the same town as the office — these services are funded for all of Northern Ontario.

See all settlement services →

Last reviewed: April 2026.

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