Human Rights in C anada

1. Human Rights in Canada

2. Human Rights • Minds On Activity- let’s do a Human Rights Quiz… • Individuals should be treated fairly as human beings regardless of the age group to which they belong- All About Law 2010 • Although equality rights are guaranteed in the Charter, it took many years and a lot of fighting for this to occur: • Aboriginal Groups • Women • Immigrants • Gay men and women • People with disabilities

3. Human Rights • Human Rights laws protect people from being treated unfairly by others- the Charter is between individuals and the government (federal or provincial) • Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments have all passed human rights acts- Ontario Human Rights Code • It is therefore illegal for people to treat others unfairly • Have you seen this happen at Weldon? • Discrimination-see page 97

4. Human Rights in Ontario • We all have a responsibility to make sure that discrimination forbidden by the Code does not occur. Human rights legislation will only be effective when all people take an active role in ensuring equality and preventing discrimination • All of us in Ontario must: • Avoid discriminating against or harassing others • Address discrimination when we see, or are the victims of discriminatory treatment • Report incidents of discrimination, and urge others to • Ensure people know their rights • Ontario Human Rights Comission

5. The Scope of the Code- AREAS • The OHRC provides protection from discrimination in 5 areas of our lives- we all have the right to freedom from discrimination in the following areas: • Services, Goods and Facilities- schools, hospitals, shops, restaurants, recreational facilities • Occupancy of Accommodation- the place where you live or want to live, whether you rent or own • Contracts- written or verbal • Employment- advertisements, application forms, job interviews as well as work assignments, training and promotions • Membership in vocational or trade unions- OSSTF or CAW

6. The Scope of the Code- Prohibited Grounds • Discrimination occurs most often because of a person’s membership in a particular group in society- the following grounds are protected by the code: • Race- common descent or external features • Ancestry- family descent • Place of origin- country or region • Colour- associated with race • Ethnic Origin- social, cultural or religious practices • Citizenship- membership in a state or nation • Creed- religion or faith • Sex- sexual in nature (gender or pregnancy) • Sexual orientation- • Handicap- physical disability, learning disability, speech impairment, visual impairment, etc… • Age 18- 65 (employment) 16+ accommodation, 18+ all other areas • Marital Status- cohabitation, widowhood, separation • Family Status- parent/child relationship • Same Sex partnership status • Record of Offences- Provincial offences or federal • Receipt of public assistance in housing

7. Exceptions to the Grounds • Just as the Charter has a limitation factor, the OHRC allows for limited ‘discrimination’ if the following occurs: • An organization that serves a group protected by the code may choose to employ only members of that group • An employer may choose to hire or not hire his or her own spouse, child or parent of the spouse or the child or parent of an employee • An employer may discriminate on the basis of age, sex, record of offences or marital status if these are genuine requirements of the job- examples?