s.29 — Functions of Commission

29 The functions of the Commission are to promote and advance respect for human rights in Ontario, to protect human rights in Ontario and, recognizing that it is in the public interest to do so and that it is the Commission’s duty to protect the public interest, to identify and promote the elimination of discriminatory practices and, more specifically, (a) to forward the policy that the dignity and worth of every person be recognized and that equal rights and opportunities be provided without discrimination that is contrary to law; (b) to develop and conduct programs of public information and education to, (i) promote awareness and understanding of, respect for and compliance with this Act, and (ii) prevent and eliminate discriminatory practices that infringe rights under Part I; (c) to undertake, direct and encourage research into discriminatory practices and to make recommendations designed to prevent and eliminate such discriminatory practices; (d) to examine and review any statute or regulation, and any program or policy made by or under a statute, and make recommendations on any provision, program or policy that in its opinion is inconsistent with the intent of this Act; (e) to initiate reviews and inquiries into incidents of tension or conflict, or conditions that lead or may lead to incidents of tension or conflict, in a community, institution, industry or sector of the economy, and to make recommendations, and encourage and co-ordinate plans, programs and activities, to reduce or prevent such incidents or sources of tension or conflict; (f) to promote, assist and encourage public, municipal or private agencies, organizations, groups or persons to engage in programs to alleviate tensions and conflicts based upon identification by a prohibited ground of discrimination; (g) to designate programs as special programs in accordance with section 14; (h) to approve policies under section 30; (i) to make applications to the Tribunal under section 35; (j) to report to the people of Ontario on the state of human rights in Ontario and on its affairs; (k) to perform the functions assigned to the Commission under this or any other Act.