Nobody should be discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, or gender. Discrimination is against Canadian law. In Canada, you can observe your religion as a right, unless it disrupts or violates the rights of other people or communities. Ontario Human Rights Commission defines religion as that which is inclusive of practices, beliefs and observances that are incorporated in someone’s faith or religion. Lets know about Religious and Human Rights in Canada

Religious Rights

The Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms along with the Canadian Human Rights Act together protect the religious freedom of Canada. Federal government laws do not have the power to restrict freedom of religion unless and until they violate the rights and values of other people or Canada itself. 

Discrimination on the basis of religion is prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Everyone should get equal opportunities and benefits. It’s highly important to treat everyone with equal dignity as well as respect.  

The religion you follow should not affect your employment or job interviews. It should not influence your ability negatively to obtain housing in hotels or rental housing. You cannot be denied services, goods or facilities on the basis of your religion. Your contractual obligations cannot be discriminated against based on your religion. Your membership or entry into unions, professional and vocational institutions cannot be affected by your religious beliefs. 

You observing your religious practices should not cause hardships on any organization or person who is accommodating you. Cost, health and safety concerns are included under such hardships. 

If you experience religious discrimination

To obtain free legal support in case of discrimination on the basis of religion, you must contact the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) 

  • Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) 

This commission is responsible for providing leadership for promoting, protecting and advancing human rights and building partnerships with other human rights systems.

  • The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)

This organization is responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination and those reports of harassment that are a violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

  • Human Rights Complaints Guides

These are guides that are written to allow the reader to understand in simple words how they can file a claim, how it is processed and how they can respond to a complaint filed against them. 

  • Justice Ontario

This is a website that contains knowledge about the legal system of Ontario, explains family and criminal law, lawsuits, human rights, wills, estates, tickets and fines. This information is sourced in more than 170 languages.  

Human Rights

There are federal laws, provincial laws as well as territorial laws in place to protect human rights in Canada. On completion, it had 30 articles that lay the outlines of everyone’s universal human rights. The foundation of the Canadian Human Rights act, equality and freedom from discrimination is explained in the first 2 articles. 

In 1977, the Canadian Humans Rights Act came into being, protecting Canadians from discrimination in employment or in receiving services from the federal government, governments of First Nations or government-regulated private companies. These include banks, trucking companies, broadcasters and telecommunication companies.  The Canadian Human Rights Act protects people from har Iassment and discrimination on the basis of race, age or sexual orientation. 

Canada’s Rights and Freedoms Charter was incorporated in the Canadian constitution in 1982. It is for protecting the rights of Canadian citizens for they should be treated equally by Canadian law. The Charter guarantees equality and fundamental rights. It also is protecting the Canadian’s rights from infringement by-laws, policies, or actions of the government including authorities like the police. 

Human Rights in Canadian Provinces

Provincial and territorial laws of human rights resemble those of the Canadian Human Rights Act. They are for protecting the people from discrimination in provincial and territorial jurisdictions. Listed below are organizations in various provinces of Canada for protecting human and religious rights. 

  • New Brunswick Human Rights Commission: The commission for protecting the rights of humans staying in the province of New Brunswick.
  • British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal: This is the commission that is based out in the province of British Columbia for the people residing in there. 
  • Alberta Human Rights Commission: This is the commission that is based out in the province of Alberta.
  • B.C. Office of the Human Rights Commissioner 
  • Prince Edward Island Human Rights Commission:  This is the commission that is based out in the province of Prince Edward Island. 
  • Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal: This is the commission that is based out in the province of Nunavut.
  • Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario: This is the commission that is based out in the province of Ontario.
  • Manitoba Human Rights Commission: This is the commission that is based out in the province of Manitoba.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador HRC: This is the commission that is based out in the province for the human rights of the state.
  • Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission:  This is the commission that is based out in the Northwest Territories.
  • Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission: The commission is based out in the state for protecting the rights of the people staying in the state. 
  • Ontario Human Rights Commission:  This is the commission that is based out in the province of Ontario for the people staying in there.
  • Human Rights Legal Support Centre  
  • Yukon Human Rights Commission:  This is the commission that is based out in the province of Yukon.
  • Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission: This is the commission that is based out in the province of Saskatchewan.
  • CDPDJ Commission: The commission is based out in Quebec for the human rights of the people of Quebec.