Ena Chadha Reappointed as Chair of HRLSC Board of Directors

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) is pleased to announce that Ena Chadha has been reappointed as Chair of the Board of Directors for a two-year term. The Board extends its congratulations and appreciation for Ena’s continued leadership, vision and commitment to advancing human rights justice across Ontario.

Ena is an award-winning human rights lawyer, investigator, mediator, and educator who has dedicated more than three decades to advancing equality, access to justice, and conflict resolution in Ontario. Her distinguished public service includes serving as Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission during the pandemic, eight years as a Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and respected Director of Litigation at ARCH Disability Law Centre.

First appointed as HRLSC Chair in 2018, Ena guided the Centre during a period of significant change, renewed ambition, and innovation. She played an integral role in the development of the Centre’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, Realizing Human Rights Together, and has championed practical initiatives that strengthen access to justice, including early dispute-resolution interventions, increased resources for mediations, and expanded experiential education opportunities.

This year, the HRLSC achieved record dispute resolution outcomes, with a 38% increase in settlements, helping more Ontarians access timely and effective human rights legal services. Among mediation clients represented by the HRLSC, 86% rated the Centre’s service as “very good,” and 95% said they would recommend the Centre to someone else facing discrimination.

Under Ena’s stewardship, the Centre secured significant investments to enhance organizational capacity to respond to growing demand for services. Ena’s leadership reinforced the HRLSC’s role providing high-quality legal supports to Ontarians navigating the human rights system. By creating more innovative training opportunities, the Centre’s law student program grew from 12 to 18 students, adding valuable frontline capacity and cultivating the next generation of skilled human rights lawyers. With the support of the Ministry of the Attorney General, Ena has built a robust and active Board of Directors that reflects the rich diversity of Ontario. 

The Board is grateful for the Ministry of the Attorney General’s commitment to the HRLSC and looks forward to continuing to benefit from Ena’s expertise and dedication in advancing the HRLSC’s mission of promoting and protecting human rights and improving access to justice for Ontarians experiencing discrimination.

Updated appointee biography.