Bill 35 And Bill 40: Potential Expansion Of Rights Under The Ontario Human Rights Code

Four New Grounds of Discrimination Put Forth

History

In 2016, Private Members' Bill 30 was introduced to include genetic characteristics as a prohibited ground of discrimination.

In 2017, Private Members' Bill 164 was introduced to include immigration status, genetic characteristics, police records, and social condition as prohibited grounds of discrimination.

• Immigration Status: Bill 164 defined immigration status as the status according to Canadian immigration law.
• Genetic Characteristics: People would be afforded the right to equal treatment without discrimination in the context of refusing to undergo a genetic test or refusing to disclose, or authorize the disclosure of the results of a genetic test. The addition of this ground of discrimination would align the Ontario Human Rights Code with protection provided in the Federal Canadian Human Rights Act.