Human rights – More legal information

Human rights in Ontario

See our Ontario Human Rights Code tip sheet to learn what this law covers. It will also help you understand how to make a complaint of discrimination.

Are you concerned about your rights at work?  Visit our Employment and Work page.

Are you a tenant? Read our tip sheet, Human Rights for Tenants.

Wondering if you have a human rights claim under Ontario’s Human Rights Code?  Check this online tool from the Human Rights Legal Support Centre.

Human Rights tribunal of Ontario

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has links to most decisions of the Tribunal. You can also access their Rules of Practice, forms, and legislation and regulations.

Ontario Human Rights Commission

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has ASL videos and factsheets are available, including:

• Age Discrimination
• Disability
• Human Rights for Tenants
• Racial Harassment
• Religious Rights
• Sexual Harassment in Employment
• Sexual Orientation

Human rights in Canada

If you have been discriminated against by a business or organization that is regulated by the federal government (such as banks, railways, interprovincial transportation, airlines, and most telecommunications businesses), you should complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. See their publications and information on:

• How to file a complaint
• Employer obligations
• LGBTQ rights
• Indigenous rights
• Disability rights
• Guide to understanding the Canadian Human Rights Act (includes ASL videos)

Accessibility

The AODA Alliance (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance) has a series of videos on a wide range of topics relating to accessibility for people with disabilities.  Watch their video “AODA 101 An Introduction to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act” on YouTube.

Other sources of information

LGBTQ+ 

CLEO Connect has a page on Human Rights and has transgender information and resources (search “transgender” in the search box).

Steps to Justice:  I’m transgender or non-binary. What are my rights at work?

See the Trans Legal Needs Assessment Ontario Project’s Phase I report.

Access to Justice for Trans People (2022) – Report from HALCO, the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) and the TRANSforming JUSTICE: Trans Legal Needs Assessment Ontario Research Team. A number of recommendations are made to improve access to justice for trans people.

Hate Crimes

The Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic helped put together this “Responding to Hate Guide” setting out your rights and resources if you are a victim of or a witness to hate motivated incidents and crimes. They also created a “Responding to Hate List of Organizations” guide to where you  can find help or report incidents.

Indigenous

See our Improving legal rights page on Indigenous rights for information about the “I am a witness” campaign,  “Jordan’s Principle” and “Shannon’s Dream” regarding rights for Indigenous children.