XV. General Information

Human Rights and Equity Office

Definitions

Harassment is defined as any attention or conduct (oral, written, graphic or physical) by an individual or group who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that such attention or conduct is unwelcome/unwanted, offensive or intimidating.

Discrimination is defined as the denial of equal treatment, civil liberties, and/or opportunity to a group or member of the group on the basis of: race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic background, citizenship, creed (religion), sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status and, in some cases, receipt of public assistance or a pardoned criminal offense. Discrimination may be systemic wherein the policies and practices that have become standard in established institutions appear to be neutral but result in the exclusion of certain groups.