Canadian Human Rights Act

Canadian Human Rights Act
Parliament of Canada
  • An Act to extend the laws in Canada that proscribe discrimination
CitationRSC 1985, c. H-6
Enacted byParliament of Canada
Assented to1977

The Canadian Human Rights Act[1] (French: Loi canadienne sur les droits de la personne) is a statute passed by the Parliament of Canada in 1977 with the express goal of extending the law to ensure equal opportunity to individuals who may be victims of discriminatory practices based on a set of prohibited grounds. The prohibited grounds currently are: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability, and conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.[2] Before the act was enacted, at least two provinces had enacted their own anti-discrimination laws. Ontario passed its Racial Discrimination Act in 1944, and Saskatchewan passed its Bill of Rights in 1947.[3]

  1. ^ Original citation: S.C. 1976-77, c. 33, s. 1; current citation: R.S.C. 1985, c. H-6.
  2. ^ Canadian Human Rights Act, s. 3(1).
  3. ^ Kirkup, Kyle. "Canadian Human Rights Act". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 1 April 2023.