Graphical Version

Case Law Information

A variety of sources are available for those seeking information about human rights complaints and how they have been resolved.

Canadian Human Rights Commission
Due to privacy legislation, the Canadian Human Rights Commission cannot comment on past or present complaints, nor publicize its decisions. However, some summarized information about cases is available, as follows:

Settlement Examples - Alternative Dispute Resolution - These summaries provide general information about complaints resolved by the Commission through mediation or conciliation, including the allegation and the general terms of the settlement. All identifying information has been removed from the summaries. Should you require advice on potential outcomes appropriate to a particular circumstance, you should seek independent legal advice.
Anti-discrimination Casebook: Race, Colour, National or Ethnic Origin - These summaries describe specific cases of discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, or national or ethnic origin, along with examples of what employers should do to fulfill their responsibilities under the Canadian Human Rights Act and the types of remedies used to address discrimination. Identifying information is included for those cases that became public.

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal - The Tribunal, which is wholly independent of the Commission, publicizes its decisions on its website. You can also research ongoing cases and/or interim rulings on the site.

Canadian Human Rights Reporter - CHRR publishes decisions of boards of inquiry, tribunals and courts from all jurisdictions, as well as the decisions on appeals which flow from them. Human rights legislation from all jurisdictions is also published by CHRR. The CHRR Online database includes decisions from 1980 to the current year.

Federal Court of Canada - This site includes cases which originated with the Canadian Human Rights Commission

Supreme Court of Canada - This site includes cases which originated with the Canadian Human Rights Commission

Law Society of Upper Canada's virtual library

University of Ottawa Human Rights Research and Education Centre

Canadian Legal Information Institute - This site provides links to the websites of all federal, provincial and territorial courts across Canada, as well as the consolidated statutes of same.