Who's Responsible For Who? Family Matters

All of the provinces and territories in Canada (except New Brunswick), prescribe human rights protections based on "family status" (or "civil status" in Quebec, which has been interpreted by the Supreme Court of Canada to include familial relationships). The Canadian Human Rights Act ("Act") also prohibits discrimination based on family status.

Why does "family status" matter?

Recent numbers from Statistics Canada show that one in four Canadians are providing care to family and/or close friends. The general population is getting older and living longer, and statistics also show that women are generally having more children than they were a decade ago, and are having them later in life. Statistics also show that in the majority of two-parent households, both parents work outside the home. In light of these circumstances, there are many opportunities for employees' caregiving obligations to conflict with their work responsibilities.