Aboriginal People and the Human Rights Code

On June 30, 2008, the role of the Ontario Human Rights Commission changed. The Commission will no longer accept complaints of discrimination. As a result, some publications may contain information that is out-of-date. Click here to read more about the Commission’s changing mission.

What is the Ontario Human Rights Commission?

The Ontario Human Rights Commission was created in 1961 to promote and protect the rights of everyone in Ontario, including Aboriginal people, under the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Commission’s functions include inquiring into allegations of discrimination, undertaking research and developing policies and guidelines, as well as public education.

The Code says that you have the right to be free from discrimination and harassment at your workplace, in shops, restaurants, public transit, hospitals, schools, apartment buildings or hotels, or as a member of a union or vocational association, to name only a few. The rights of Aboriginal people living on reserve will in some situations fall under the Ontario Human Rights Code, and in others, fall under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

What is Discrimination? What is Harassment?

Discrimination means unfair treatment because of your ancestry, ethnic origin, colour, race, religion, citizenship, place of origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), disability (including mental and physical disabilities), age, sexual orientation (two spirited) as well as family or marital status (opposite or same sex partners).

The Code also protects individuals who are on social assistance from discrimination in housing. And it provides protection from discrimination in employment for individuals who may have received a pardon for a criminal conviction.

Harassment is a form of discrimination. It includes comments, jokes, name-calling or behaviour or display of pictures that insults or offends you or puts you down because of your Aboriginal ancestry or other reasons listed above.

What About Prevention?

Public education is an important part of the Commission’s work. The Commission has developed a number of policies and guidelines, including “plain language” pamphlets on a variety of human rights issues. All publications are available at www.ohrc.on.ca. Other accessible formats are available on request.

Commission staff also attend and host information sessions and work with employers, landlords, service providers, government and community organizations to promote human rights and responsibilities.

For More Information

Canadian Human Rights Commission
Toll Free: 1-888-214-1090
TTY: 1-888-643-3304
Fax: (613) 996-9661
E-mail: info.com@chrc-ccdp.ca
Web site: www.chrc-ccdp.ca

Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto
(in Toronto only)
Telephone: 416 408-3967
E-mail: alst@web.ca
Web site: http://www.aboriginallegal.ca/

Legal Aid Ontario
Toll Free: 1-800-668-8258
Fax: (416) 979-8669
E-mail: info@lao.on.ca
Web site: www.legalaid.on.ca

Union of Ontario Indians
Toll Free: (877)702-5200
Fax:(705)497-9135
E-mail: info@anishinabek.ca
Web site: www.anishinabek.ca/uoi