Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 08 MAY 2013

The HR Space: Gender Identity And Expression Now Protected In Ontario

Fasken
Explore more from Fasken

Human Rights Tribunals across the country are constantly expanding the interpretation of prohibited grounds.

CanadaEmployment and HR
Alix Herber
Alix Herber
Keri Bennett
Keri Bennett
Author LinkedIn connections

The HR Space is edited by Louise Béchamp, Karen M. Sargeant and Brian P. Smeenk 

Human Rights Tribunals across the country are constantly expanding the interpretation of prohibited grounds. Ontario has recently joined Manitoba and the Northwest Territories and gone one step further by recognizing gender identity as a prohibited ground.Ontario's Bill 33, which came into force on June 19, 2012, now protects both gender identity and gender expression. Vanderputten v. Seydaco Packaging Corp.is the first decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario interpreting how gender identity and gender expression are treated in the workplace.

Facts

An employee of Seydaco Packaging Corp. was transitioning from living as a man to living as a woman. The employee was also commencing the process for sex reassignment through the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

WorkSafeBC Proposes Changes To Laws Regarding Workplace Harassment And Violence

WorkSafeBC is proposing significant amendments to British Columbia's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation that would fundamentally reshape how employers address workplace harassment, violence, and psychological health. The proposed changes introduce expanded definitions, new prevention program requirements, and obligations to identify and control psychosocial hazards. These amendments could require most B.C. employers to substantially revise their existing workplace policies and procedures.
CanadaEmployment and HR
Cassels
Cassels
Article

Bill C-39: Big Changes Are Coming To Federal Workplace Rules

The federal government has tabled Bill C-39, introducing sweeping reforms to the Canada Labour Code that will fundamentally reshape union negotiations, dispute resolution, and workplace enforcement for federally regulated employers. These changes, stemming from extensive public consultations with over 26,000 responses, grant new ministerial powers while expanding government enforcement capacity by 70% through the hiring of 100 additional health and safety officers.
CanadaEmployment and HR
Torkin Manes LLP
Torkin Manes LLP
Article

More Than Skin Deep: Ontario Considers A Makeover Of Cosmetic Injection Rules

A regulatory shift now under consideration in Ontario could reshape how the province’s medical aesthetic clinics operate. The proposal, which would change how nurses are authorized to administer medical aesthetic services, invites a broader look at how Ontario currently regulates cosmetic injections and how the proposed changes would align the province more closely with the regulatory frameworks already in place elsewhere in Canada. While these procedures are often marketed as routine “spa” services, they remain medical acts that involve prescription products and carry clinical risks.
CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
Fasken
Fasken
Article

Canada’s Counter-Tariffs On US Goods: A Primer On What Canadian Businesses Need To Know

Effective September 8, 2026, Canada implemented retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods in response to the initial 50% tariffs imposed by the US under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. To operationalize these measures, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued Customs Notice 26-23, establishing binding administrative rules on how the surtax will be applied, calculated, and collected.
CanadaInternational Law
Fasken
Fasken
Article

Open Banking Milestone: Draft Supervisory Guidelines For Consumer-Driven Banking Released

The Bank of Canada (the “Bank”) has published two proposed guidelines relating to the accreditation process for prospective participants under the Consumer-Driven Banking Framework: the Participating entity accreditation application requirements under the Consumer-Driven Banking Act (the “Participating Entity Guideline”) and the Third-party service provider accreditation application requirements under the Consumer-Driven Banking Act (the “TPSP Guideline”).
CanadaFinance and Banking
Fasken
Fasken
Article

Life Sciences-Health Canada Takes Action Against Unauthorized Peptide Sales

On July 29, 2026, Health Canada announced that it had obtained a permanent injunction against a Québec-based company in connection with the sale of unauthorized injectable peptides in Canada. The announcement reflects Health Canada’s continued focus on peptide products and serves as a reminder that injectable peptides intended for human use are regulated as prescription drugs and are subject to Canada's drug regulatory framework.
CanadaFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
Fasken
Fasken
Article

2026 Federal Budget: Highlights Affecting Financial Services

The 2026 Federal Budget (“Budget 2026”) proposes to grow the Canadian financial services sector, while introducing multiple checks on possible risks raised by new bank entrants and innovative technology. It also builds out existing policy measures to support digital innovation and combat fraud. There are various other measures that may be of interest to financial service providers in banking, insurance and payments.
CanadaFinance and Banking
Fasken
Fasken