July 11, 2012 Original Newsletter(s) this article was published
in: Employment Update: July 2012 Article By: Maria Kotsopoulos
On June 19, 2012, Bill 33, Act to amend the Human Rights Code
with respect to gender identity and gender expression received
Royal Assent. As a result, the Human Rights Code is amended to
specify that every person has a right to equal treatment without
discrimination because of gender identity or gender expression
with respect to services, goods and facilities; accommodation;
contracting; employment; and membership in a trade union, trade
or occupational association or self-governing profession. The
Bill also amends the Code to specify that every person has a
right to be free from harassment because of sexual orientation,
gender identity or sexual expression with respect to
accommodation and employment. The terms “gender identity” and
“gender expression” have not been defined in the legislation.
However, the Ontario Human Rights Commission has defined “gender
identity” as being linked