Manitoba

The Manitoba Human Rights Code (MHRC) sanctions discrimination in the areas of services to the public, employment and hiring, advertising, employee benefits, wages, tenancy, contracts, purchase of real property, harassment and retaliation.

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission (Commission) is an independent agency of government responsible for enforcing the MHRC through the promotion of human rights principles, public education and the management of complaint processes (investigation, hearing, mediation). Decisions are available here.

What are the prohibited grounds of discrimination?  Ancestry, including colour and perceived race; nationality or national origin;  ethnic background or origin;  religion or creed, or religious belief, religiou s association or religious activity; age; sex, including sex-determined characteristics or circumstances, such as pregnancy, the possibility of pregnancy, or circumstances related to pregnancy; gender identity; sexual orientation; marital or family status; source of income; political belief, political association or political activity; physical or mental disability or related characteristics or circumstances, including reliance on a service animal, a wheelchair, or any other remedial appliance or device;  social disadvantage.

What are the time limits for filing a complaint? A complaint must be filed within one year of the alleged discrimination or, in the case of a continuing contravention, within one year of the last incident.

What is the procedure? Once a complaint is filed, if accepted by the Commission, the respondent has the opportunity to file a formal response to the complaint. The Commission may then investigate to determine whether the case should be referred to a human rights panel or dismissed. If there is sufficient evidence, it will ask a member of the Human Rights Adjudication Panel to make a final decision on the complaint at a public hearing. The Commission generally recommends voluntary mediation.

How do I file a complaint? It is not possible to file a complaint online. Officers are available at the Winnipeg and Brandon offices to assist you in the process.

What compensation can you get? The Commission's adjudicator can order compensation for the harm done; compensation for losses suffered as a result of the discrimination; payment of damages; and/or assistance from a social development program.

This content has been updated on 4 March 2023 at 11 h 11 min.