Canadian Human Rights Commission

The Canadian Human Rights Commission is Canada's national human rights institution. The Commission helps ensure that everyone in Canada is treated fairly, no matter who they are.

Mandate

The Commission advocates for human rights, and provides enforcement and dispute resolution processes that are fair, equitable, and respect the inherent dignity of all.

The Commission operates under the authority of the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Accessible Canada Act, the Employment Equity Act, the Pay Equity Act and the National Housing Strategy Act. It is internationally accredited as Canada's National Human Rights Institution.

Who they are and what they do

The Canadian Human Rights Commission provides fair mechanisms for human rights resolution, enforcement and advocacy inside a single expert organization.

It provides free, confidential, and accessible pathways for people in Canada to understand their rights, resolve disputes, and seek redress, often without the need to proceed to complex, lengthy and costly public hearings.

The Commission advances human rights in Canada by representing the public interest, identifying emerging issues and advocating for change that keeps pace with society so that Canada is inclusive, equitable and barrier-free.

As Canada's national human rights institution, the Commission holds Canada accountable to its international and domestic human rights commitments.

Advocating for human rights in canada

As Canada's national human rights institution, the Commission speaks out, raises awareness, and advocates for human rights in Canada by:

• advising Parliament on new laws and emerging human rights issues

• supporting and conducting human rights research

• engaging with international bodies to raise concerns when Canada is not meeting its human rights obligations

• monitoring Canada's implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

• publicizing key human rights settlements that have the potential to effect broader change across Canada

• working with the Federal Housing Advocate to drive meaningful action and human-rights based solutions to housing need and homelessness in Canada

They prevent discrimination

Through mediation and litigation, the Commission resolves discrimination disputes, often reaching remedies that prompt changes to policies and programs that impact the lives of many people in Canada.

Informed by research, stakeholders and those with lived experience, the Commission informs policy changes across Canadian institutions that will help prevent discrimination.

The Commission also ensures that federally regulated employers:

• work towards a barrier-free Canada by removing barriers for people with disabilities through the Accessible Canada Act (Office of the Accessibility Commissioner)

• work towards a Canada where the right to equal pay for work of equal value is a reality for all through the Pay Equity Act (Office of the Pay Equity Commissioner)

• take steps to increase representation across Canada's workplaces for women, Indigenous peoples, racialized people and people with disabilities through the Employment Equity Act

They resolve human rights complaints

In accordance with the Canadian Human Rights Act, The Comission receives and screens complaints from people who believe they have experienced discrimination or harassment.

• We help people resolve disputes through mediation.
• We refer complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal when the issues are systemic in nature.
• We represent the public interest in certain cases that go before the Tribunal and the courts.

In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act and the Pay Equity Act, we support the Accessibility Commissioner and the Pay Equity Commissioner in resolving disputes that come before them.