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The human rights of Indigenous people in Ontario (including status, non-status, First Nations, Métis and Inuit) are protected by the all Code grounds. However, discrimination because a person identifies as Indigenous involve the grounds of race, creed and ancestry.

OHRC Makes Recommendations Regarding Bill 33

August 18, 2025
In a recent submission to the Ministry of Education, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) reiterated its call for an evidence-based approach to the routine presence of police in Ontario’s schools. In its submission to the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, the OHRC also highlights that colleges and universities admissions should uphold the principles of substantive equality.

Guide to identifying and addressing anti-Indigenous discrimination in retail settings

Many Indigenous people* experience discrimination when they shop, sometimes due to racial profiling. Examples include when business owners or employees engage in targeted surveillance, make derogatory comments toward Indigenous customers related to their ancestry, race, or culture(s), or unjustly refuse to serve Indigenous customers. Discrimination may also occur when a First Nations person seeks to use their Status card to request a tax exemption or as identification, or when other Indigenous documentation is used for identification (e.g., Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) client identification number).

Policy statement on Indigenous-specific hiring

Over the past several years, the OHRC has learned that there is significant demand from non-Indigenous employers for guidance on how to appropriately hire for Indigenous-specific positions, while meeting their obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code). The need for this guidance has been exacerbated by widespread reports of alleged Indigenous identity fraud by non-Indigenous people.

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