Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Act (NSHRA) sanctions discrimination in the following settings: housing, purchase or sale of real property, employment, volunteer public service, publication, broadcast or advertisement, membership in a professional, business or trade association, employer organization or employee organization.

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (Commission) is an independent government body responsible for the complaint process for allegations of discrimination (individual or systemic discrimination) and for preventing future discrimination through education, training, public engagement and development policies.

What are the prohibited grounds of discrimination? Age; race; colour; religion; creed; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; gender expression; physical disability or mental disability; an irrational fear of contracting an illness or disease; ethnic, national or aboriginal origin; family status; marital status; source of income; political belief, affiliation or activity; that individual’s association with another individual or class of individuals having previous characteristics referred to.

What are the time limits for filing a complaint? A complaint must be filed within twelve months of the date of the incident or within twelve months of the date of the last incident if the discrimination is ongoing.

What is the procedure? Following receipt of the complaint, the Commission opens an investigation. It encourages mediation. If no compromise is reached, the Commissioners will take up the matter.

How do I file a complaint? The Commission encourages you to contact them beforehand to determine if they are qualified to handle your complaint. You can contact them here. If necessary, the Commission's staff will assist you in filing your complaint.

What compensation can you get? The Commission may order general damages for the injury suffered, reinstatement to employment, special damages for lost wages, that the respondent cease violating the provisions of the Code, apologize or undergo training to remedy the remaining violations.

This content has been updated on 4 March 2023 at 11 h 10 min.