{"id":11616,"date":"2023-07-18T11:31:59","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T15:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jfcy.org\/?post_type=jfcy-right&#038;p=11616"},"modified":"2026-02-23T12:32:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T17:32:23","slug":"discrimination-claim","status":"publish","type":"jfcy-right","link":"https:\/\/jfcy.org\/en\/rights\/discrimination-claim\/","title":{"rendered":"Discrimination &amp; LGBTQI2S Rights &#8211; Making a Claim"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-zp4-jump-links\"><div class=\"jump-links\"><button class=\"jump-links-toggle\" id=\"jump-links-header\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-accordion-header=\"true\"><span class=\"jump-links-icon\"><\/span><p class=\"jump-links-intro\">Jump down to a question on this page<\/p><\/button><div class=\"jump-links-content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#claim\">How do I make a claim of discrimination?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#time\">Is there a time limit for making an application?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#submit\">What happens after I submit my application?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#mediation\">What is \u201cmediation\u201d?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#hearing\">What is a \u201chearing\u201d?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#someone\">Can someone help me with this?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#things\">What things might happen before a hearing starts?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#charge\">Who is in charge at the hearing? Who makes the decision?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#might\">If I am successful at the hearing, what might I get?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#dont\">What if I don\u2019t agree with the decision?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#hrto\">Is the HRTO the only place where I can complain about discrimination?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#info\">Where can I get more information?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#hrto-more\">Where can I get more information about the HRTO?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"claim\">How do I make a claim of discrimination?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To make a claim, fill out an application form and submit it to the <a href=\"http:\/\/tribunalsontario.ca\/hrto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Human Rights Tribunals Ontario (HRTO)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also call the HRTO if you have questions about the process and to have a form mailed to you: 416-326-1312 or 1-866-598-0322<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"time\">How quickly do I have to make a claim?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You have one year from the incident to submit your application. If there were several related incidents, you have one year from the last one. If you miss the deadline,<br>you can still ask the HRTO to let you apply but you\u2019ll need a really good reason. Talk to a lawyer if you\u2019re late and still want to make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"submit\">What happens after I submit my application?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The person or group you complained about will be given a chance to respond. They\u2019re called the \u201cRespondent\u201d. The Respondent must give you a copy of their response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"mediation\">The next step is \u201cmediation\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mediation is a way to solve the issue by talking it out with help from a neutral person called the \u201cmediator\u201d. The mediator helps both sides listen to each other and try to<br>agree on a solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For claims made before June 1, 2025: this is a voluntary part of the process. You do not have to try mediation. You do not have to agree to anything at mediation and no one can force you to agree to anything at mediation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For claims made to the HRTO on or after June 1, 2025: mediation is mandatory. You can request an exemption for exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"hearing\">What if I don\u2019t want mediation or it doesn\u2019t work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you skip mediation or can\u2019t agree during it, your claim will go to a \u201chearing\u201d which is similar to a trial. You and the Respondent both get to share your side of the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can show evidence, like documents or messages. You can also bring people who know what happened and can speak about it (\u201cwitnesses\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll get to explain why you believe it was discrimination and what you think should be done to fix it. The Respondent will also have a chance to share their side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"someone\">Where can I get support for making a claim to the HRTO?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You have the right to hire a lawyer or paralegal to represent you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also visit the <a href=\"http:\/\/hrlsc.on.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) website<\/a> to complete a questionnaire to determine whether you will be able to pursue legal<br>steps through them. Their website also contains rights information and how-to guides on the claims process. You can also call them: 416-597-4900 or 1-866-625-5179<br>You can also ask someone you trust (friend, family member, or support worker) to go with you to mediation or the hearing to take notes and support you<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"things\">What steps might happen before a hearing starts?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the hearing, the HRTO might reach out to you and the Respondent to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ask if you need any accommodations such as help with accessibility or other support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>find ways to make the hearing faster or smoother <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>figure out what you both agree on and what you disagree about, so they can focus on the important<br>parts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>talk about your evidence and witnesses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These are called case assessments and help the HRTO get ready and make things go as smoothly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"charge\">Who\u2019s in charge at the hearing? Who decides what happens?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A person from the HRTO runs the hearing. They might be a Vice Chair, Member, or Adjudicator and they\u2019re like a judge. They\u2019re in charge of how the hearing goes<br>and how the evidence is given. They\u2019re also the one who decides if your claim is successful or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"might\">If I win at the hearing, what can happen?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are successful, the adjudicator might:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>tell the Respondent to pay you money, for things like emotional harm or lost wages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Order them to give you your job back<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make them change their rules or policies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Require human rights training for their staff<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s about making things fair and making sure the discrimination doesn\u2019t happen again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"dont\">What if I don\u2019t agree with the decision?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think the decision was wrong and especially if you have new evidence that wasn\u2019t available before, you can ask the HRTO to take another look. This is called a<br>reconsideration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not allowed to ask for that, you can go to court and apply for a judicial review. It\u2019s a complicated process and it\u2019s important to talk to a lawyer about this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"hrto\">Can I complain about discrimination elsewhere?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you can sometimes bring up discrimination with other places, like the Ontario Labour Relations Board, if it\u2019s part of a bigger issue. If you do complain somewhere<br>else before going to the HRTO, the HRTO might: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>decide to not hear your case, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>delay your case until the other one is finished<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking about complaining to more than one place, you should get legal advice first so you know your options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"info\">Where can I learn more about the HRTO?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For information about filing a claim, what to expect, how to ask for accommodations, and other resources, visit the <a href=\"http:\/\/tribunalsontario.ca\/hrto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HRTO website.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/stepstojustice.ca\/legal-topic\/human-rights\">Steps to Justice <\/a>has information on discrimination in various contexts (work, housing, other)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"hrto-more\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How do I make a claim of discrimination? To make a claim, fill out an application form and submit it&mldr;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-11616","jfcy-right","type-jfcy-right","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jfcy.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jfcy-right\/11616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jfcy.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jfcy-right"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jfcy.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/jfcy-right"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jfcy.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jfcy-right\/11616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15427,"href":"https:\/\/jfcy.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jfcy-right\/11616\/revisions\/15427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jfcy.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}