What the Act Protects
The NWT Human Rights Act protects equality rights by making discrimination illegal. Discrimination happens when:
- Someone is denied opportunities and rights because of a personal characteristic (e.g.: race, sex, disability, etc.)
- Someone is treated negatively or harassed because of a personal characteristic
- A policy or rule has an adverse effect on an individual because of a personal characteristic
- Someone is judged as a member of a group rather than on the basis of his or her individual merits or abilities
The key to discrimination is behaviour. People have prejudices and ideas about others. The Act states that we can’t act on those ideas and deny others opportunities because of things like race, religion, sex, disability or other unrelated personal characteristics.
“Grounds of discrimination” are the personal characteristics referred to in the Act.
“Areas of discrimination” refer to the areas of our lives where we are protected from discrimination. These are employment, tenancy, public services, memberships in trade unions, and publications.
→ For information about the areas and grounds covered by the Act, visit Areas & Grounds.
→ For information about discrimination, read Know Your Rights.
→ For information about the complaints process, visit Complaints.
If you have questions or concerns about a specific situation,
call our free confidential inquiry service: 1-888-669-5575.
