Human Rights and Jurisdiction
The NWT Human Rights Act applies to businesses, industries, organizations, and government agencies which are regulated by the NWT. These include:
- Government services like health care and hospitals, and education and schools
- Stores, service centres, and businesses
- Tenancy for residence or business
- Publications like magazines or newspapers
The Canadian Human Rights Act, applies to industries, businesses, and organizations which are regulated by Canada such as:
- Aboriginal governments, land claims and treaty rights
- Airlines and other transportation companies that travel between territories and provinces
- Federal government services such as old age security and employment insurance
- Telephone companies, radio stations and television and Internet providers
- Banks
Grounds of Discrimination
This chart shows which grounds are covered by which Human Rights Act:
| Ground | NWT | Canada |
| Age | ✓ | ✓ |
| Race | ✓ | ✓ |
| Colour | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ancestry, Place of Origin | ✓ | |
| Nationality (NT), National Origin | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ethnic Origin | ✓ | ✓ |
| Religion | ✓ | ✓ |
| Disability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sex, Sexual Orientation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gender Identity, Gender Expression | ✓ | ✓ |
| Marital Status | ✓ | ✓ |
| Family Status | ✓ | ✓ |
| Family Affiliation | ✓ | |
| Political Belief, Political Affiliation | ✓ | |
| Social Condition | ✓ | |
| Pardoned Criminal Conviction | ✓ | ✓ |
| Genetic Characteristics | ✓ | |
| Time Limit to File a Complaint | 2 years | 1 year |
Many of the Human rights protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act are specific to First Nations. The Human Rights Handbook for First Nations was created specifically for people who work for First Nations governing bodies responsible for providing service to First Nations communities. Click on the link above to download a free pdf copy.
If you have any questions about jurisdiction just give us a call. We’re here to help.
This post is also available in: French