Human Rights Legal Support Centre

Harassment and discrimination based on Indigenous ancestry or race, and/or other intersecting grounds such as s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, or expression, are prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you’re experiencing discrimination or harassment on any such grounds at work, in housing, or when accessing services—including policing—you may be facing Code-based discrimination.

The Indigenous Services and Outreach Committee at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre offers Indigenous-led legal advice and support. Call 416-597-4900 or 1-866-625-5179 (toll-free), then press 4.

https://hrlsc.on.ca/indigenous-services/

Today we recognize Red Dress Day, which honours and brings awareness to the Indigenous women and girls who have been subject to disproportionate violence in Canada. Inspired by the work of Métis artist Jaime Black, creator of the REDress Project, empty red dresses are hung in public spaces as a stark reminder of those who have been lost or worn to show support.

Learn more: https://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/video/red-dress-2025-eng.aspx

Trans people continue to face barriers in employment, services, housing, and other everyday interactions. International Trans Day of Visibility is a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights to dignity, safety, and equal treatment.

When businesses refuse service because of a person’s gender identify or gender expression, that can be discrimination under Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

In the HRLSC’s case of A.B. v. Mad Wax Windsor, the HRTO concluded that Code-related discrimination and harassment had occurred after a trans woman was demeaned, denied routine leg wax and then later harassed through a press release issued by the waxing salon owner.

➡️Read more about this case here: https://hrlsc.on.ca/waxing-services/

If you’ve experienced discrimination based on gender identity or expression, we can help: hrlsc.on.ca

ANNOUNCEMENT: The HRLSC will be closed Friday March 27th while it completes planned technology upgrades to improve the reliability, security, and accessibility of our services.

This means the Client Portal will be unavailable from Thursday, March 26 at 5 PM until Monday, March 30 at 8 AM, when it will be accessed by a new link.

Additionally, emails sent to staff during this time may not be received or responded to until after the update is complete.

Updates and information about this transition will be posted on our website at https://hrlsc.on.ca/faq/hrlsc-temporary-service-and-communications-outage-march-26-30-2026/