Proposed Amendments To The Ontario Human Rights Code Include New Prohibited Grounds Of Discrimination

On October 4, 2017 Bill 164, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2017 was introduced into the Ontario Legislative Assembly and passed First Reading the same day. If enacted, it would expand the prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Ontario Human Rights Code (the "Code") to include immigration status; genetic characteristics; police records; and social conditions.  These new grounds would be in addition to the prohibited grounds already covered in the Code, with one notable exception, as explained below.

Bill 164 is a private member's bill brought by Nathalie Des Rosiers, Liberal MPP for Ottawa – Vanier.  She stated that she introduced it to ensure that the Code "counters new forms of discrimination that some Ontarians face" and empowers the Human Rights Commission "to ensure a more equal society, free of all forms of discrimination."