Protection Against Discrimination

• religion or creed
• being single or married
• having or not having children
• sex
• pregnancy or pregnancy-related illness
• sexual orientation
• gender identity
• disability
• age (18 or over)
• colour
• ancestry
• nationality
• birth place
• race or perceived race
• receiving social assistance

Discrimination on any of these grounds is not allowed when people are...

• shopping in a store, renting a hotel room, eating in a restaurant or using other public services
• renting a place to live
• applying for a job
• buying land
• starting a business
• applying to or going to school (including trade schools, universities and colleges)

Examples of discrimination include...

• a business refusing you service because of your nationality
• a landlord saying “Adults Only”, “Must be Working”, or “No Single Mothers”
• an employer asking about religion on an application form or in an interview
• being fired because you are pregnant

There are some important exceptions. For example, an apartment building or other housing complex can be only for people of one sex or people over 55. Businesses can charge lower rates for children, families or seniors. Bathrooms can be for one sex. Schools can require that students be a certain age before starting. Employers can require employees to have the qualifications needed for the job.