City of Ottawa, Council, Community Services Committee
Put the shelter operator’s compliance with the City’s shelter standards before the committee and ask for a staff report.
The letter ·
1754 St. Joseph Boulevard in Ward 1 — prayer in the common areas, and the City's oversight of the operator
Hello,
Danilo Dzyuban, resident at 1754 St. Joseph Boulevard in Ward 1. The City owns this building and funds the agency that operates it, the Catholic Centre for Immigrants.
On 10 August 2026 two staff members told me that the computer room, a common area, is not a place for prayer, and that I would be better off going down to the basement. I am a Muslim. The prayer was silent and lasted a few minutes, and the only other person in the room was watching cartoons on one of its computers. He was not approached. Since that day I have not used the common areas of the building I live in.
On 13 August I asked the agency in writing for the rule and for the names of the two staff members. Neither has been produced. The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario opened file 2026-68783-I on 1 September 2026.
Three facts belong to the City rather than to the agency.
The complaints policy required by Section 6 n of the Ottawa Transitional Housing Program Standards was not posted in the building. The City's coordinator was on site on 13 August 2026 for the annual review and confirmed on 18 September that she saw a QR code poster and no policy. The policy went up on 17 September, 38 days after the incident, and the annual review is still in draft.
The City's investigation into my complaint has twice asked me to explain why I want the names of the two staff members. The agency holds those names and has withheld them since 13 August. The question was put to me.
Section 2.1 f of the Standards makes compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code a condition of the funding this building runs on.
Put the agency's compliance with Section 2.1 f before the Housing and Community Services Committee and ask for a report. The City's investigation closes on 2 October 2026.
Respectfully,
Danilo Dzyuban
The letter ·
Re: Re: 1754 St. Joseph Boulevard in Ward 1 — prayer in the common areas, and the City's oversight of the operator
Hello James,
Thank you, and the Councillor's office will stay copied.
One item from my message of 20 September is outstanding. I asked that the operator's compliance with Section 2.1 f of the Ottawa Transitional Housing Program Standards go to the Housing and Community Services Committee. That decision belongs to the Councillor. It does not belong to the department that funds the operator and is reviewing it.
Your letter states that everyone should be able to access their home without having their rights infringed upon, and here is where that stands. The Interim Director of Housing and Homelessness Services wrote to me on 21 September that there is nothing that would preclude me from praying anywhere at a City funded transitional housing program. Two staff of the City's operator stopped me from doing exactly that on 10 August 2026. No rule has been named in the 6 weeks since. The federal department funding this site confirmed on 21 September that its agreements carry no human rights provisions. City standards are the only instrument left.
The City's investigation closes on 2 October 2026. I am asking the Councillor to place the operator's compliance on the Committee's agenda.
Respectfully,
Danilo Dzyuban
The answer ·
Good afternoon Danilo,
Thank you for your email.
My name is James, and Councillor Luloff has asked me to respond to you on his behalf.
We appreciate you taking the time to reach out. We understand why this situation has been concerning for you, particularly given the circumstances you described and your concerns about being able to practice your faith in the common areas of your home.
Everyone should be able to access their home and the services provided to them with dignity and without having their rights infringed upon. Councillor Luloff takes the concerns you have raised very seriously.
We have been informed by the General Manager of the Community and Social Services Department (CSSD) that staff have been in contact with you regarding your concerns and are working to assist you. Given the City's role in overseeing the program and funding involved, CSSD is best positioned to review the circumstances you have raised and address your questions directly.
We appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention, and we hope the ongoing engagement with CSSD provides you with the answers and assistance you are seeking. Please feel free to keep us CCd on on-going conversations, and we would be more than happy to jump in if needed.
All the best,
James Maxwell-Barillas
Councillor's Assistant to Matthew Luloff | Assistant du conseiller Matthew Luloff
Ward 1 — Orléans East-Cumberland | Quartier 1 — Orléans Est-Cumberland
The answer ·
Hi Danilo,
Thank you for following up, and for clarifying the outstanding request.
I also want to correct something from our previous correspondence. After reviewing the location, we realized that 1754 St. Joseph Boulevard is actually located in Ward 2, rather than Ward 1. I apologize for not catching that sooner.
Given that, we are copying Ward 2 Councillor Laura Dudas and her office on this email. This actually works out well as Councillor Dudas coincidentally serves as the chair of the Community Services Committee.
We appreciate the distinction you have raised between the department's ongoing review and the separate question of whether this matter should be brought before Committee. We will leave that request with Councillor Dudas and her office to review and determine the appropriate next steps.
We trust you will find this helpful.
All the best,
James Maxwell-Barillas
Councillor's Assistant to Matthew Luloff | Assistant du conseiller Matthew Luloff
Ward 1 — Orléans East-Cumberland | Quartier 1 — Orléans Est-Cumberland