Introduction to Human Rights (6:I): Difference between revisions

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== A. Federal and Provincial Legislation ==
When faced with a human rights issue, the first step is to determine whether the provincial legislation, the BC Human Rights Code, RSBC 1996, c 210 ("HRC" or the “Code”), applies or whether the problem falls within federal jurisdiction under the Canadian Human Rights Act, RSC 1985, c H-6 ("CHRA").


The first step when faced with a human rights issue is to determine whether the provincial legislation, the BC ''Human Rights Code'', RSBC 1996, c 210 (HRC), applies or whether the problem falls within federal jurisdiction under the Canadian Human Rights Act, RSC 1985, c H-6 (CHRA).
Section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867 30 & 31 Victoria, c 3 (UK), reprinted in RSC 1985, App II, No 5, lists the matters that fall under federal jurisdiction. If the complaint is covered by federal legislation, the matter would be handled under the CHRA by the Canadian Human Rights Commission ("CHRC"). The limitation date under the federal legislation is 1 year. If the complaint against the respondent (the party who is being alleged to have contravened the Code) is based on an action they undertook in their capacity as an agent or employee of a body that falls under federal jurisdiction, then that complaint could be governed by federal legislation. However, a complaint involving a federally regulated employee who is alleged to have discriminated against a provincially regulated employee in a shared workspace may possibly be brought under the provincial HRC, depending on the circumstances. For more information, see the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal v Schrenk, 2017 SCC 62 in which the court confirmed that discrimination in the employment context “may include discrimination by [the complainant’s] co-workers, even when those co-workers have a different employer”: para 3.


Section 91 of the ''Constitution Act, 1867'' 30 & 31 Victoria, c 3 (UK), reprinted in RSC 1985, App II, No 5, lists out the bodies that fall under federal jurisdiction. If the complaint is covered by federal legislation, the matter would be handled under the CHRA by the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC). The limitation date for Federal jurisdiction is '''1 year'''. If the complaint against the respondent (the party who is being alleged to have contravened the Code) is based on an action they undertook in their capacity as an agent or employee of a body that falls under federal jurisdiction, then that complaint would also be governed by federal legislation. Examples of some industries that are federally regulated and therefore fall within the federal human rights jurisdiction are:
Examples of some industries that are federally regulated and therefore fall within federal human rights jurisdiction are:


* Banking – but not credit unions.
* Banking – but not most credit unions (note Coast Capital Savings is now under federal regulation).
* Telecommunications (internet, television and radio) – but not call centres.
* Telecommunications (internet, television and radio) – but not call centres.
* Transportation that crosses provincial or international boundaries (airlines, trains, moving companies, couriers).
* Transportation that crosses provincial or international boundaries (airlines, trains, moving companies, couriers).
See '''Section IV''' for more on matters under federal jurisdiction.
* First Nations governments (but not necessarily all businesses or services provided on reserves)
* Royal Canadian Mounted Police ("RCMP")


Section 92 of the ''Constitution Act, 1867'', on the other hand, lists out the bodies that fall under provincial jurisdiction, which includes property and civil rights in the province as well as generally all matters of a merely local or private nature in the province. In the case that a complaint is covered under the HRC, the matter will be before the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal (BC HRT). Human rights matters taking place in BC will tend to fall under the provincial legislation. The limitation date shortens to '''6 months''' if under provincial jurisdiction. See '''Section III''' for more on matters under provincial jurisdiction in BC.
The CHRC has a useful assessment tool that can assist in determining if an entity falls under federal jurisdiction. It can be found at https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/en/complaints/make-a-complaint. This tool is not always accurate, so if an entity is not found there but you have reason to believe that it is federal, follow up with further inquiries and analysis. See Section IV of this chapter for more on matters under federal jurisdiction.


In either case, because human rights legislation is considered to be “quasi-constitutional” in nature, the legislation must be given a liberal and purposive interpretation to advance the broad policy implications underlying it. The CHRC has a useful assessment tool that can assist in determining if an entity falls under federal jurisdiction. It can be found at http://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/eng/content/complaint-assessment-tool. This tool is not always accurate so if an entity is not found there but you have reason to believe that the entity
Section 92 of the Constitution Act, 1867 lists the matters that fall under provincial jurisdiction, including property and civil rights in the province, and generally all matters of a merely local or private nature. If a complaint is covered under the HRC, the matter will come before the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal ("BCHRT"). Human rights violations that have taken place in BC will usually fall under the provincial legislation. The limitation date for BCHRT claims is one year from when the alleged breach occurred.


In either case, because human rights legislation is considered to be “quasi-constitutional” in nature, the legislation must be given a liberal and purposive interpretation to advance the broad policy purposes underlying it.




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Latest revision as of 18:34, 21 August 2024

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on August 14, 2024.



When faced with a human rights issue, the first step is to determine whether the provincial legislation, the BC Human Rights Code, RSBC 1996, c 210 ("HRC" or the “Code”), applies or whether the problem falls within federal jurisdiction under the Canadian Human Rights Act, RSC 1985, c H-6 ("CHRA").

Section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867 30 & 31 Victoria, c 3 (UK), reprinted in RSC 1985, App II, No 5, lists the matters that fall under federal jurisdiction. If the complaint is covered by federal legislation, the matter would be handled under the CHRA by the Canadian Human Rights Commission ("CHRC"). The limitation date under the federal legislation is 1 year. If the complaint against the respondent (the party who is being alleged to have contravened the Code) is based on an action they undertook in their capacity as an agent or employee of a body that falls under federal jurisdiction, then that complaint could be governed by federal legislation. However, a complaint involving a federally regulated employee who is alleged to have discriminated against a provincially regulated employee in a shared workspace may possibly be brought under the provincial HRC, depending on the circumstances. For more information, see the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal v Schrenk, 2017 SCC 62 in which the court confirmed that discrimination in the employment context “may include discrimination by [the complainant’s] co-workers, even when those co-workers have a different employer”: para 3.

Examples of some industries that are federally regulated and therefore fall within federal human rights jurisdiction are:

  • Banking – but not most credit unions (note Coast Capital Savings is now under federal regulation).
  • Telecommunications (internet, television and radio) – but not call centres.
  • Transportation that crosses provincial or international boundaries (airlines, trains, moving companies, couriers).
  • First Nations governments (but not necessarily all businesses or services provided on reserves)
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police ("RCMP")

The CHRC has a useful assessment tool that can assist in determining if an entity falls under federal jurisdiction. It can be found at https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/en/complaints/make-a-complaint. This tool is not always accurate, so if an entity is not found there but you have reason to believe that it is federal, follow up with further inquiries and analysis. See Section IV of this chapter for more on matters under federal jurisdiction.

Section 92 of the Constitution Act, 1867 lists the matters that fall under provincial jurisdiction, including property and civil rights in the province, and generally all matters of a merely local or private nature. If a complaint is covered under the HRC, the matter will come before the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal ("BCHRT"). Human rights violations that have taken place in BC will usually fall under the provincial legislation. The limitation date for BCHRT claims is one year from when the alleged breach occurred.

In either case, because human rights legislation is considered to be “quasi-constitutional” in nature, the legislation must be given a liberal and purposive interpretation to advance the broad policy purposes underlying it.


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