The Government of Yukon is inviting Yukoners to share their thoughts on the proposed improvements to the Human Rights Act that will enable the Act to be more consistent with similar laws in other provinces and territories.
The Human Rights Act is designed to prevent and stop discrimination and harassment based on ancestry, religion, sex, gender and many other personal characteristics. The Act applies to all people in the Yukon, as well as businesses and organizations that are governed by territorial laws and provide services or employment to the public.
The Yukon Human Rights Commission is an independent organization responsible for enforcing and administering the Human Rights Act. The commission may take complaints and investigate allegations of discrimination and harassment as defined in the Act.
The Government of Yukon received a request from the Yukon Human Rights Commission to make certain changes to the Act and there are several other changes also being considered, including:
- clarifying the meaning of “systemic discrimination”;
- clarifying when the duty to accommodate applies;
- allowing complaints of retaliation to be investigated by the commission and punishable through damages; and
- clarifying when discrimination in favour of family members is allowed.
Public feedback will help the Government of Yukon to understand how Yukoners may be affected by these proposed changes and decide whether to pursue the recommended changes or pursue other amendments.
Yukoners have until May 10, 2025, to complete the survey online.
The Human Rights Act is an important tool that protects Yukoners against discrimination and harassment from people, businesses and organizations. The Act is at the core of a fair and inclusive society where Yukoners can flourish regardless of their ancestry, religion, sex and other personal characteristics. I appreciate the request of the Yukon Human Rights Commission and look forward to seeing what Yukoners have to say about potential amendments to the Act.
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The Government of Yukon received a request from the Yukon Human Rights Commission to make certain changes to the Human Rights Act so the Act would be more consistent with similar laws in other provinces and territories.
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The Human Rights Act is designed to prevent and stop discrimination and harassment based on ancestry, religion, sex, gender and many other personal characteristics.
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The Act applies to all people in the Yukon, as well as businesses and organizations that are governed by territorial laws and provide services or employment to the public.
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Under the Act, people are protected from discrimination and harassment in areas of employment, receiving goods and services (including government and private business), housing, leasing or renting, membership in trade unions or professional associations and public contracts.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
[email protected]
Francis Lefebvre
Communications, Justice
867-667-8144
[email protected]