If you believe you've been discriminated against at work based on a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, you can file an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). This is a free process, and you don't need a lawyer to file — though legal advice is highly recommended.
Protected Grounds Under the Ontario Human Rights Code
- Race, colour, ancestry, place of origin
- Ethnic origin, citizenship
- Creed (religion)
- Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression
- Age, marital status, family status
- Disability (including mental health conditions)
- Record of offences
What Can You Claim?
You can file an HRTO application if you experienced discrimination in employment — including hiring, promotion, workplace conditions, harassment, or termination. You have one year from the last discriminatory act to file.
The HRTO Process
- File an Application (Form 1) online at the HRTO website
- The respondent (employer) files a Response within 35 days
- Mediation is offered — most cases settle at this stage
- If no settlement, a hearing is scheduled (can take 1-3 years)
- The adjudicator issues a decision
Possible Remedies
If successful, the HRTO can order: monetary compensation for lost wages and injury to dignity, reinstatement to your job, policy changes at the organization, and public interest remedies.