Human Rights for Everyone

You have the right to dignity and equality under The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code. Because human rights are so important, the Code takes precedence over other provincial laws.

The agency that enforces the Code is the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. Its job is to protect and promote human rights and to discourage discrimination against everyone living in Saskatchewan.

What is Discrimination?

Discrimination is unfair action taken against others because they belong to a certain group. It denies people benefits and opportunities that are necessary for a decent life, like jobs or housing.

Discrimination can flow from prejudice, negative stereotypes, or a failure to consider the needs of others.

Sometimes discrimination is deliberate and direct. For instance, discrimination can take the form of racist insults, sexual harassment, or the refusal to hire people because of their age or religion.

Discrimination can also be indirect or unintentional. One example is a public service or office that can only be reached by a flight of stairs. People who use walkers or wheelchairs will be unable to use the service, even though no one intends to exclude them.

How am I Protected?

It’s against the law for someone to discriminate against you because of:

• religion,
• creed,
• marital status,
• family status,
• sex,
• sexual orientation,
• disability
• age (18 or more)
• colour
• ancestry,
• nationality,
• place of origin
• race or perceived race,
• receipt of public assistance, and
• gender identity.

These are known as the “prohibited grounds” of discrimination. The Code also protects your fundamental rights to freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, and freedom of association, within legal limits.

How am I Protected?

It’s against the law for someone to discriminate against you in:

• employment or occupations
• education
• housing
• publications
• public services (restaurants, stores, hotels, government services, etc.)
• contracts or purchase of property
• professional associations or trade unions.

Accommodating People’s Needs

Employers, service providers and others have a duty to make reasonable efforts to assist people who could otherwise be denied opportunities because of gender, disability, religion, or other illegal grounds of discrimination. This is called the “duty to accommodate.”

Accommodation is required unless it would cause an undue hardship. For example, employers may have to adjust working conditions or provide technical aids so people with disabilities can participate in the workplace.

The Complaint Process

If you think someone has discriminated against you, you may make a complaint to the Commission. Our fact sheet entitled “How to File a Complaint” describes the complaint process. Please note that you must make a complaint with in one year of becoming aware of the discrimination .

The complete text of the Code can be downloaded by clicking here.