Content last verified against official statutes: June 13, 2026
Human rights in Canada are the protections that stop you from being treated unfairly because of who you are. In practice they show up in three settings most people deal with: employment, housing, and services offered to the public. Human rights law sets a floor that employers, landlords, and service providers have to meet, and it gives an affected person a way to complain when they fall short.
The grounds you are protected on
Human rights laws prohibit discrimination based on a list of protected grounds. These commonly include race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital and family status, genetic characteristics, and physical or mental disability. The exact list varies slightly between the federal law and each province, but the core grounds are consistent across Canada. Discrimination can be direct, or it can be a neutral rule that has an unfair effect on a protected group.
Which human rights law applies to you
Whether your situation is federal or provincial depends on what is involved. The federal Canadian Human Rights Act covers federally regulated activities — such as banks, airlines, telecommunications, and the federal government — and is enforced through the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Tribunal. Everything else, including most workplaces, housing, and businesses, falls under the human rights code of your province or territory, each with its own commission or tribunal. The constitutional backstop is section 15 of the Charter, which guarantees equality before and under the law — though the Charter applies to government action, while the human rights codes reach private employers, landlords, and businesses.
How a human rights complaint generally works
Human rights matters are handled by specialized commissions and tribunals, not the criminal courts, and an affected person can usually start the process directly. The general shape is the same across Canada: an application or complaint is filed, there is often an opportunity to resolve it through mediation, and unresolved matters can proceed to a hearing. Deadlines are strict and vary by jurisdiction — for example, an application to the Ontario tribunal generally must be filed within one year of the last incident. Remedies can include compensation, changes to a policy, or other orders.
The duty to accommodate is a central part of human rights law: employers and service providers must adjust rules or conditions, up to the point of undue hardship, so that people are not excluded because of a protected ground such as disability or religion.
Where this comes up in everyday life
Human rights protections run through the topics covered across this network: discrimination or harassment at work is addressed at MyWorkRights.ca, discrimination in renting at MyTenantRights.ca, and protections for newcomers at MyImmigrantRights.ca. For the bigger picture of how Canadian law fits together, see the guide to legal rights in Canada, browse the law library, or find your issue.