What Kinds of Discriminatory Behavior Are Prohibited by the Human Rights Code?
Recognizing the Protections Provided by the Human Rights Code for Race, Religion, Gender, Age, Sexual Orientation, and More.
According to the Human Rights Code R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, everyone in Ontario has the right to protection against certain types of mistreatment.
It stipulates that discrimination must not be allowed in five (5) major areas of concern. Services, accommodations, employment, contractual ties, and vocational organizations are the five (5) main protected categories.
The Human Rights Code in Ontario allows individuals to seek protection through the Human Rights Tribunal. This tribunal assesses complaints, hears arguments, and makes decisions, offering remedies such as monetary compensation or alternative resolutions.
Beyond safeguarding against discriminatory treatment, the Code also shields complainants from reprisals for raising discrimination concerns. This protection aims to reassure individuals that they won’t face intimidation, further discrimination, or illicit responses for bringing matters to light.
The Code broadly covers five key areas and outlines provisions, with some exceptions, to ensure fairness and equality in:
Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability.
Human Rights Issues Include:
Protection Against Racism
Opportunity Regardless of Age
Acceptance Regardless of Origin
Embracing of Various Sexualities
Accessibility for Disabled Persons
Vehicle Parking
In addition, a fair decision and implementation of the intended protections are ensured by the broad definition of the traits that are protected against discrimination. Section 10 defines the different protected features as follows:
Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version:
Definitions under the Human Rights Code in Ontario:
– **”Age”** refers to an age of 18 years or older.
– **”Disability”** encompasses various conditions:
– Any physical disability, infirmity, malformation, or disfigurement resulting from injury, birth defect, or illness. This includes specific conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, brain injury, paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness, deafness, muteness, reliance on guide animals or devices, among others.
– Mental impairment, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, or challenges in understanding or using symbols or language.
– Mental disorders or disabilities for which benefits were claimed under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
– **”Equal”** denotes compliance with requirements, qualifications, and considerations not constituting prohibited grounds for discrimination.
– **”Family Status”** pertains to being in a parent and child relationship.
– **”Group Insurance”** involves insuring multiple individuals under a single contract.
– **”Harassment”** refers to engaging in persistent, unwelcome comments or conduct.
– **”Marital Status”** includes being married, single, widowed, divorced, separated, or living in a conjugal relationship outside marriage.
– **”Record of Offences”** covers convictions under certain conditions, including offenses for which a pardon has been granted or offenses under provincial laws.
– **”Services”** excludes levies, fees, taxes, or periodic payments imposed by law.
– **”Spouse”** refers to a married partner or someone in a conjugal relationship outside marriage.
Learn About :
Wonderful customer service and concern for people! While going through a situation regarding a hearing at the LTB, Ian went above and beyond to provide counsel immediately and on a date that he was not scheduled to do so for me. I would give 10 stars if I could. Truly knowledgeable and poised. I would highly recommend!
~ Monique N