Ontario Human Rights Code
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The Ontario Human Rights Code is a provincial law in the province of Ontario, Canada that gives all citizens of the province equal rights and opportunities without discrimination in specific areas such as jobs, housing and services. The code's goal is to prevent discrimination and harassment because of race, colour, sex, handicap and age, to name some of the sixteen grounds.
The code was one of the first laws of its kind in Canada. Before 1962, various laws dealt with different kinds of discrimination. The code brought them together into one law and added some new protections. The coded is administered and enforced by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. However, an independent body separate from the commission, called a board of inquiry, makes the ultimate decision in a complaint.
The Code is divided into an introductory section, or "preamble", followed by five parts. Part 1 sets out basic rights and responsibilities. Part II explains how the code is interpreted and applied. Part III explains the role and structure of the commission and Part IV explains how the code is enforced. Finally, Part V deals with general matters such as the power to make regulations.
The Code does not apply to federally regulated activities. They are subject to the Canadian Human Rights Act.
[edit] See also
[edit] External link
- Ontario Human Rights Code (full text)
