From: Policy on creed and the accommodation of religious observances
Creed[1] is not a defined term in the Code. The OHRC has adopted the following definition of creed:
Creed is interpreted to mean "religious creed" or "religion.” It is defined as a professed system and confession of faith, including both beliefs and observances or worship. A belief in a God or gods, or a single supreme being or deity is not a requisite.
From: Policy on creed and the accommodation of religious observances
Freedom of religion is the basic principle that informs the right to equal treatment under the Code on the ground of creed.[7] First, this implies that the law can require measures to facilitate the practice of religious observances.[8] Second, it also means that no person can force another to accept or comply wi
From: Policy on creed and the accommodation of religious observances
In Dufour v. J. Roger Deschamps Comptable Agréé, a human rights tribunal stated that:
[H]arassment or discrimination against someone because of religion is a severe affront to that person's dignity, and a denial of the equal respect that is essential to a liberal democratic society.[11]
From: Policy on creed and the accommodation of religious observances
The Code provides the right to be free from discrimination, and there is a general corresponding duty to protect the right: the ”duty to accommodate.” The duty arises when a person's religious beliefs conflict with a requirement, qualification or practice. The Code imposes a duty to accommodate based on the needs of the group of which the person making the request is a member. Accommodation may modify a rule or make an exception to all or part of it for the person requesting accommodation.
From: Policy on creed and the accommodation of religious observances
Dress codes, work schedules or shift work sometimes adversely affect individuals because of religious requirements. When this happens, the obligation to accommodate the individual, based on the needs of the group, is triggered under the Code.
From: Policy on creed and the accommodation of religious observances
Discrimination or unequal treatment may be legally defensible in certain circumstances.
First, s. 18 of the Code provides that religious, philanthropic, educational, fraternal or social institutions that are primarily engaged in serving the interests of persons who are identified by their creed, may give priority to persons of the same creed with regard to participation or membership.
From: Policy on creed and the accommodation of religious observances
Religious pluralism poses a challenge in any multicultural society, especially one as diverse as ours. Although the law is developing rapidly in this area, an informed spirit of tolerance and compromise is indispensable to any civil society, as well as to its capacity to make opportunities available to everyone, on equal terms, regardless of creed.
From: Policy on HIV/AIDS-related discrimination
Section 1
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, age, marital status, family status or disability.
Section 2
From: Policy on scholarships and awards
Section 1 of the Code provides that 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, age, marital status, family status or disability. Education and access to educational facilities are "services" under Code.
From: Policy on scholarships and awards
”Discrimination“ in human rights law does not simply mean treating someone differently. In human rights law, it means treating someone differently because of personal characteristics that are based on the grounds set out in the Code.
