Human rights laws are different in each province and territory, and for workplaces under federal law. To find out more about the law that covers your workplace, visit the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
Here is a list of non-profit organizations that provide general information on human rights or legal representation to individuals.
Non-profit organizations providing general information on human rights or legal representation to individuals
Organizations in each province or territory provide general information on human rights but not legal advice specific to individual cases. In some provinces, there are organizations that provide free legal advice specific to individuals and may represent clients for free. If you belong to a union, contact your local steward before you consider making a claim under human rights legislation.
Canada
For general information on human rights in federally regulated sectors only (e.g., employees of chartered banks, television and radio stations, telephone companies, federal government departments and agencies): Canadian Human Rights Commission
By province/territory:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Yukon Territories
British Columbia
For general information on human rights: BC Human Rights Tribunal, People’s Law School
For legal representation of individuals with low household incomes, as well as general information about human rights: BC Human Rights Clinic, Greater Victoria area: The Law Centre, University of Victoria
Alberta
For general information on human rights: Alberta Human Rights Commission (accepts phone but not email inquiries), Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta, Your Rights at Work
Saskatchewan
For general information on human rights: Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan
Manitoba
For general information on human rights: Manitoba Human Rights Commission, Community Legal Education Association offers general legal information advice and referrals to lawyers
Human resource management association of Manitoba (HRMAM): a network that links members, businesses, and the general public to important HR issues and trends occurring provincially, nationally and globally
For legal representation of individuals with low household incomes, as well as general information on human rights: Manitoba Legal Help Centre
Ontario
For general information on human rights: Community Legal Education Ontario
For legal advice on individual cases as well as general information on human rights: Long-term Disability/Employment Law Legal Clinic offers free summary legal advice clinics for Greater Toronto Area residents, held twice a month
For legal representation of individual claimants, as well as general information about human rights: Human Rights Legal Support Centre
For legal representation of individuals whose cases fit the centre’s priorities, as well as general information about human rights: ARCH Disability Law Centre provides free, confidential legal advice and information
Quebec
For general information on human rights: Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse Québec [Quebec Human Rights and Children’s Rights Commission], Advisory Service on Reasonable Accommodation offers advice for employers
Quebec community legal information centres: Centres de justice de proximité, Éducaloi
Legal advice on individual cases: Pro Bono Québec provides free or low-cost legal advice to individuals whose cases are of public interest (for example, people with disabilities)
New Brunswick
For general information on human rights: New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
For general information on human rights: Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
For legal advice on individual cases as well as general information on human rights: reachAbility offers referrals to lawyers who provide one hour of free advice. They also give education sessions on legal topics relevant to people with disabilities, including employment and accommodations. Dalhousie Legal Aid community legal clinic
Prince Edward Island
For general information on human rights: PEI Human Rights Commission, Community Legal Information Association of Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
For general information on human rights: Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission, Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland, Law Library, Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
For general information on human rights: Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission, Public Legal Education and Information, Legal Services Board
Nunavut
For general information on human rights: Law Society of Nunavut hotline provides legal information in Inuktitut on rights of people with disabilities and others, Public Legal Education and Information, Nunavut Legal Services Board
Nunavut does not have a human rights commission.
Yukon Territories
For information on human rights: Yukon Human Rights Commission
Other resources
Referrals to lawyers
Some of the organizations listed above, as well as provincial law societies, provide referrals to lawyers in private practice who give free or very low-cost advice for 30–60 minutes.
Legal aid
Legal aid programs provide funding for individuals to hire lawyers in private practice. To be eligible, individuals must have low household incomes. The areas of criminal and civil law covered by legal aid vary by province and territory. factor[e] design initiative and Canada icon by anbileru adaleru from the Noun Project.
