Bill 199 2011

An Act to amend the Human Rights Code with respect to genetic characteristics

Note:  This Act amends the Human Rights Code.  For the legislative history of the Act, see the Table of Consolidated Public Statutes – Detailed Legislative History at www.e-Laws.gov.on.ca.

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

   1.  Section 1 of the Human Rights Code is amended by adding "genetic characteristics" after "age".

   2.  (1)  Subsection 2 (1) of the Act is amended by adding "genetic characteristics" after "age".

   (2)  Subsection 2 (2) of the Act is amended by adding "genetic characteristics" after "age".

   3.  Section 3 of the Act is amended by adding "genetic characteristics" after "age".

   4.  (1)  Subsection 5 (1) of the Act is amended by adding "genetic characteristics" after "age".

   (2)  Subsection 5 (2) of the Act is amended by adding "genetic characteristics" after "age".

   5.  Section 6 of the Act is amended by adding "genetic characteristics" after "age".

   6.  Subsection 10 (1) of the Act is amended by adding the following definition:

"genetic characteristics" means genetic traits of an individual, including traits that may cause or increase the risk to develop a disorder or disease; ("caractéristiques génétiques")

   7.  Section 22 of the Act is amended by adding "genetic characteristics" after "age" wherever it appears.

   8.  Clause 24 (1) (a) of the Act is amended by adding "genetic characteristics" after "age".

Commencement

   9.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   10.  The short title of this Act is the Human Rights Code Amendment Act (Genetic Characteristics), 2011.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Human Rights Code to include genetic characteristics as a prohibited ground of discrimination.  The Act currently includes race, marital status and disability, among other things, as prohibited grounds of discrimination.

In addition to other amendments, various sections are amended to provide that every person has a right to equal treatment, without discrimination because of genetic characteristics, with respect to services, goods and facilities, the occupancy of accommodation, the right to contract, employment and membership in various types of organizations.