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Goods, services and facilities

You have the right to be free from discrimination when you receive goods or services, or use facilities. For example, this right applies to:

  • stores, restaurants and bars
  • hospitals and health services
  • schools, universities and colleges
  • public places, amenities and utilities such as recreation centres, public washrooms, malls and parks
  • services and programs provided by municipal and provincial governments, including social assistance and benefits, and public transit
  • services provided by insurance companies
  • classified advertisement space in a newspaper.

Relevant policies and guides:

You have the right to be free from discrimination when you receive goods or services, or use facilities. For example, this right applies to:

  • stores, restaurants and bars
  • hospitals and health services
  • schools, universities and colleges
  • public places, amenities and utilities such as recreation centres, public washrooms, malls and parks
  • services and programs provided by municipal and provincial governments, including social assistance and benefits, and public transit
  • services provided by insurance companies
  • classified advertisement space in a newspaper.

Relevant policies and guides:

Proposed Adequate and Effective Policing (General) Regulation under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission on the proposed Adequate and Effective (General) Regulation (the Regulation) under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA).
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OHRC statement on Code obligations of education officials
The OHRC is aware and concerned about the increasing violence targeted at education officials for doing human rights work, adhering to the obligations set under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code) and implementing government policy.
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OHRC Ikidowag Egii-mikigaadegin okanan gete-gikino’amaadiiwigamigong giiwedinong Ontario
Igi gaa-anokiiwaad imaa Ontario Awiyag Gaa-inendaagoziwaad Ji-Dagwiiwaad Izhichigewining aapiji maanendamoog owe e-gii-mikigaadegin okanan 171 anishinaabensag e-gii-ningo’indwaa imaa, anishinaabewakiing Wazhashkonigamiing gete-gikino’amaadiiwigamigong imaa Kenora, Ontario.
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OHRC Statement on unmarked graves found at former Ontario residential school site[s]
The Ontario Human Rights Commission is deeply saddened by the news about the discovery of 171 plausible burials found in the traditional lands of Wauzhushk Onigum Nation, at the former St. Mary’s Indian Residential School in Kenora, Ontario.
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Letter to the Toronto District School Board on its Collaborative Approach to School and Community Safety Report
The OHRC is aware the TDSB has taken a decision to end the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program. It recognizes your obligation as a duty-holder to protect the safety of students. However, to the extent that there are bona fide and legitimate reasons to seek external help, the OHRC reminds all parties that the discussion and decision should be informed by human rights principles as set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code).
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Submission of the Ontario Human Rights Commission to the Ministry of the Solicitor General call for submissions on Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Searches of People in Custody in Ontario’s Adult Correctional Institutions
  October 31, 2022   Introduction On September 29, 2022, Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General (Ontario) announced its proposal to create an updated regulatory framework under the Ministry of Correctional Services Act for strip searches of people in custody in Ontario’s adult correctional institutions. The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) supports Ontario’s decision to take steps to better regulate the use of strip searches in its correctional institutions.
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OHRC letter and submission on Equipment and Use of Force Regulatory Amendment and Implementation of Modernized Use of Force Report
The OHRC’s submission to the Ministry of Solicitor General’s request for public and stakeholder input on amendments to police use of force reporting requirements in the Equipment and Use of Force Regulation as well as on a modernized Use of Force Report. 
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HRTO confirms jurisdiction to resolve unionized employees’ claims
The OHRC is pleased that a recent Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) ruling confirmed it has jurisdiction to resolve Human Rights Code-related claims of discrimination by unionized employees.
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OHRC announces progress to date, renews its call for action in the Right to Read inquiry
The OHRC reported progress on the Right to Read inquiry. It also confirmed its plan to continue to monitor progress on inquiry recommendations and renews its call to all partners in Ontario’s education system to do their part to uphold every student’s right to learn to read.
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Right to Read by the numbers
The Right to Read report has garnered sustained and significant public interest and support from provincial, national and international audiences. The response has been overwhelmingly positive with leading reading experts and equality rights advocates from Canada and around the world acknowledging the report’s accuracy and significance.
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