I Am Being Discriminated against or Sexually Harassed
The law prohibits discrimination in housing, the workplace and the provision of services, where the discrimination is based on grounds such as race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, disability or criminal record. Some aspects of discrimination in the workplace are excused if the discrimination is a bona fide (reasonable and necessary) occupational requirement.
First steps[edit]
- If the discrimination happened in the workplace, get a copy of your employer’s personnel policies. Most employers have a policy and procedure for dealing with harassment and employee grievances. It is usually best to follow the procedure in these internal policies first.
- If you can’t resolve your complaint quickly using your employer’s policies, you can make a human rights complaint to either the BC Human Rights Tribunal (if you have a provincially regulated employer) or to the Canadian Human Rights Commission (if you have a federally regulated employer). Most employers are provincially regulated, but some—like the federal government, chartered banks, Indian Bands or tribal councils and national airlines or railways—are federally regulated.
- To make a complaint against a provincially regulated body, call the BC Human Rights Tribunal at 1-888-440-8844 or fill out the online complaint form at their website: http://www.bchrt.bc.ca. Complaint forms are also available at most Service BC (Government Agent) Offices. Complaints must be filed within six months of the discriminatory act.
- To make a complaint against a federally regulated body, call the Canadian Human Rights Commission at 1-888-214-1090. You can also contact the Commission by fax or email. Go to the website at www.chrc-ccdp.ca and click on "contact us". Complaints must be filed within one year of the discriminatory act.
What happens next[edit]
Once you make a complaint, a representative of the Tribunal or Commission will contact you. They will work with you and the discriminating party (respondent) to see if the problem can be resolved through mediation. If not, the matter may go to a hearing before a human rights tribunal.
If your complaint goes to a human rights tribunal, you (or your lawyer) will give your evidence of discrimination and call any witnesses to it. The employer (or its lawyer) can cross-examine you and your witnesses and then call witnesses of its own. You or your lawyer will be able to cross-examine these witnesses. The tribunal member will decide whether you have proved the discrimination, and can order the employer to stop the discriminating behaviour and/or pay you compensation for the harm done to you.
![]() |
Although the above information talks about discrimination or sexual harassment in employment, the same process applies to discrimination in housing and the provision of services as well. |
Where to get help[edit]
See the Resource Guide in Part 2 for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:
- BC Human Rights Coalition.
- Community Legal Assistance Society, if the discrimination is based on disability.
- PovNet, for contact and website information for human rights advocates near you.
- Access Pro Bono, Lawyer Referral Service, Salvation Army Pro Bono Lawyer Consultation Program, Private Bar Lawyers.
Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form Preparing for Your Interview in Part 3 of this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.